The Y North is proud to present our annual report for the year 2022-2023, a year that tested our resilience, adaptability, and commitment to our mission. Even in the face of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, chaotic weather, and a challenging social scape, The Y has continued to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and enjoy opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. From childcare to camps, mentoring to multicultural experiences, athletics to accommodation, from creating safe spaces for advocacy and engagement with our communities, to fulfilling needs for wellness and wellbeing, The Y strengthens the community with life-changing programs and services with passion, excellence, and innovation.
Our values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility guided us through this difficult time, as we strived to meet the needs of our members, staff, volunteers, and partners. We focused on four key areas of impact: youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and financial sustainability. We delivered programs and services that supported the physical, mental, cultural, and social well-being of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Some of the highlights of our achievements include:
• Launching a new online platform that gave our customers autonomy and ease for engaging with our services and programmes.
• Providing opportunities for vulnerable youth to realise their potential with Raise Up, Walk the Line, Sports Camp and Surf Safety Camps.
• Offering financial assistance to support access and inclusion.
• Raising funds and securing grants from generous donors and foundations.
• Building an engaged and expanded marketing team with real digital expertise.
• Reopening our facilities and programs speedily despite devastating weather events.
• Celebrating our diversity and fostering a culture of equity and inclusion, with a focus on the future, thanks to the newly created Y National Te Tiriti policy and Nate Rowe leading our rōpū through this mahi in his role as our new national Kaitohutohu. Nate will be assisting The Y Whānau across the motu in embedding Te Tiriti into their everyday practice.
• Recognising our staff and volunteers for their dedication, creativity, and leadership.
At The Y, we relentlessly channel our passion, creativity, and enthusiasm into building thriving communities and making them strong enough to endure for generations to come. To do that, we push what’s possible, challenge limits and open doors to break down barriers to personal growth.
We are grateful for the mahi (work) of our entire Y family, who showed remarkable strength, courage, and compassion in the face of adversity. We are also thankful for the support of our members, donors, partners, and community leaders, who helped us navigate this challenging year. Together, we proved that we are stronger when we work as one.
We invite you to read our annual report and learn more about our impact. We hope you will join us in celebrating our achievements and looking forward to a brighter future.
Thank you for being part of The Y North.