The Rising Foundation developing future leaders in South Auckland

MIL OSI – Source: Harcourts – The Rising Foundation developing future leaders in South Auckland Graham Viall of Harcourts BCRE pictured with Principal of Papakura High School Peter Heron, Chair for The Rising Foundation John Bongard, and students participating in the Rising Foundation programme.   Friday 13 March, 2015 “Many students in South Auckland are brought up amid challenging personal circumstances. Our goal is to provide them with the support they need to develop self-belief and confidence so they can achieve their potential,” says John Bongard, Chair for The Rising Foundation. The Rising Foundation supports around 600 students in South Auckland who participate their break-through programme, which helps them to ‘Rise Up’ and build positive lives. The Foundation works with students aged 11 to 18, with a particular focus on ages 12 to14 years who are supported by trained social workers as they transition from Intermediate to High School. Harcourts BCRE has donated $5000 to The Rising Foundation, via the Harcourts Foundation, which will go towards a Term One Leadership camp for more than 200 students from Papakura High, Pukekohe High, Manurewa High, Wesley College, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate and Rosehill College Schools. The camp will provide the students with the opportunity to participate in an orienteering adventure race, horse and motor bike riding, and a host of other activities designed to build confidence and team work. “The students attending our leadership camp have all participated in our academic programmes throughout the year. This camp is a way to reward them for their hard work and to help them to stay motivated to continue on their positive pathway,” says Mr Bongard. Principal of Papakura High School Peter Heron said that he has seen first-hand how intervention from The Rising Foundation has led to students turning their lives around. “Many of our students come from quite desperate situations where it is very hard to establish patterns that will lead to success. “Mentoring, together with the opportunity to experience new challenges, has inspired our students to become leaders among their peers and in the community.” Graham Viall from Harcourts BCRE said that The Rising Foundation Trust does remarkable work in providing students with the support they need to achieve their potential. “We are proud to support The Rising Foundation Trust. Their programmes are making a genuine difference to the lives of youth in South Auckland and helping students faced with poverty and other challenges to find personal and academic success.” The Harcourts Foundation was established so that Harcourts employees could give back to the local communities where they live and work. Through employee donations and fundraising efforts, the Harcourts Foundation has donated three million dollars towards community projects since it was established in 2008. If you would like to support The Rising Foundation’s excellent work, you can do so by visiting www.therisingfoundation.org.nz/donate/.  You can make a monthly contribution, sponsor a student for a year, make a one off donation or become a corporate partner.  For further information please email therisingfoundation.nz@gmail.com. –  ]]>