Graeme Dingle Foundation Southern’s mission is to deliver programmes that are proven to bring positive changes to the lives of young people at the bottom of the south.
Presently we have three transformational programmes in Southern:
- Kiwi Can: Our energy-packed, primary school programme, teaching positive relationships, values of respect, integrity and resilience, and developing the soft skills needed for our communities and workplaces of the future.
- Stars: Currently run in Wakatipu High School, Stars is a 12-month mentoring programme that supports, motivates and positively reinforces Year 9 students during their first year in secondary school.
- Career Navigator: Our unique ready-for-work programme helping our secondary school students find appropriate career pathways, and developing strong connections between our young people and industries.
Our children need to learn skills and strategies to develop into resilient people who can cope and thrive in our fast-paced world. They need to learn how to work together, understand other perspectives, collaborate for mutual success, and how to bounce back from setbacks.
Our programmes support the development of these skills and values, so our youth are able to overcome the challenges they will inevitably face in life.
We want every Southern young person to know what they have inside is greater than any obstacle.
OUR DREAM TEAM
Anna Gaitt - Southern General Manager
I firmly believe in the Foundation's mission to empower and inspire young individuals, and I am committed to building upon its legacy of success. Together with our dedicated team and our valued community partners, we will forge a path of growth, ensuring that every young person in the Southern region has the opportunity to thrive.
Email AnnaAlan Steele - Career Navigator Coordinator
Inspired by his values of wanting to help and inspire people to have the skills to create a meaningful pathway for themselves combined with over 20 years of working with youth in the education sector makes him the perfect member of the Career Navigator team as a Coordinator. Better yet, Alan understands what it’s like for students who aren't sure what they want to do after high-school. Prior to his career in education he studied Electrical Engineering, ran his own handy-man business and worked numerous labouring jobs. Alan also likes to share all of his good traits with the youth he works with including but not limited to: good work ethics, communication skills, positive attitude, resilience and a willingness to learn!
Email AlanJennifer Jacques - Kiwi Can Coordinator
Our Kiwi Can Coordinator Jen is originally from Oxford in the UK. Jen made the decision to move to NZ, with her family, in September 2018. Jen said that her favourite thing about working at the Graeme Dingle Foundation Southland is “the privilege of being on a journey with our tamariki to help them find their place in the world.” Jen is so passionate about removing barriers and helping kids realise how important they really are. In her spare time you will find Jen getting into the bush and doing reno’s on the house.
Email Jennifer
Gabbie Guise - Kiwi Can Leader
Kia Ora, my name is Gabbie and I'm a Kiwi Can Leader here at GDF Southern. I love being a KC Leader because I get to encourage kids to find the joy in life and learning together how we can build positive relationships. My favourite thing to do with the tamariki is having fun, whether through games, activities or a quick joke in the lesson, sharing laughter is the best thing and always the best part of class. Nga Mihi Nui, Gabbie
Email GabbieAnnalys Kennedy - Kiwi Can Leader
Kia Ora. I’m Annalys, a Kiwi Can Leader for the Southern region. I love being a Kiwi Can Leader because I get the opportunity to teach Tamariki those important life skills like resilience and how to form positive relationships in a fun and interactive way out of the normal classroom environment where Tamariki can be themselves. My favourite thing to do with the Tamariki is share their excitement with them when they have achieved something whether it be big or small, or just having a conversation with them about how their week has been.
Email AnnalysShanae Stenton - Kiwi Can Leader
Kia Ora, I'm Shanae, a Kiwi Can leader for southern region. I love being a kiwi can leader because I am able to encourage and empower our Tamariki to build strong positive relationship within their whanau, peers and community, while providing them the tools to become resilient young people with a strong sense of Turangawae wae. My favorite thing to with the Tamariki is facilitating games that challenge them in both a physical and mental aspect and watching the pride and sense of achievement they express when they are successful in something they didn't think they could. Nga Mihi Nui
Email ShanaeEmily Stupples - Kiwi Can Leader
Carla Forbes - Trustee
Carla is a Creative director and publisher who has been a board member with us for a couple years now. When asked what inspired her to become a board member she responded 'Investing in our youth, supporting confidence, resilience and filling our youth’s wellbeing toolbox with the right material, has a ripple effect that is generational, and it supports community. I genuinely believe this organization has potential to affect the wellbeing of all of Aotearoa. I Jumped at the opportunity to be on the board.' In Carla's spare time you will find her reading, spending time with her family and boating.
Dean Addie - Trustee
Dean is a born and raised Southlander that is well travelled but always comes home. Dean has been on our board since 2011. Dean is passionate about young people and seeing them succeed which is why he wanted to join our board. During the day Dean is the General Manager of EIS Group but in his spare time you will find him spending as much time as he can with his family. When asked what his favourite thing is about what Graeme Dingle Foundation does, he replied "Helping NZ kids navigate through the many issues they will face. Rather than being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, being the fence at the top". Fun fact, Dean was once the Southland under 14 100m record holder... until the next heat.
Jaclyn Rome - Trustee
Jaclyn is a born Southlander from Gore who is our most recent board member. During the day Jacyln works as an Accountant at Findex but in her own time you will find her with her family farming or coaching a hockey team. Jaclyn was inspired to become a board member with us as she wanted 'to be able to utilize the skills I have learnt in my professional career to help the youth in our community'. When asked what she like most about what the Graeme Dingle Foundation Southland does Jaclyn replied 'The Foundation is constantly involving and doing its very best to have a positive influence in the lives of young people.'