27 November 2008
Focus Flower Extravaganza
It’s been quite a competitive journey for CLS Auckland.
What began as a thought to strengthen teams and help build unique culture in each of the CLS Houses turned into a full blown competition!
This isn’t the place to share acts of sabotage or spying, but please know there are some great stories circulating through our department.
Official judging of the gardens will be on December 2nd 2008. Our qualified judges will be judging in the following categories:
- Best Flower Garden
- Best Vegetable Garden
- Best Garden Planning
- Best Garden Journal
- Best Before and After Photos
Because we believe that each human being is unique and worthwhile, our judging team is not limited to just the above categories.
Awards and Prizes will be given at CLS Auckland Annual Holiday Party on December 12th 2008.
An Open Home Day will be held on December 22nd 2008, so that interested people can come and visit the gardens and hear the great stories.
If you’re interested in attending the Open Homes, check back here for times and locations after December 8, 2008.
13 October 2008
I would like to talk to you about a fabulous woman named Sonya.
When I arrived at Focus in February, 2008, Sonya was so shy. She hardly ever made eye contact, or held herself tall. Sonya often wore only sweatpants and baggy jerseys into the community. She described herself as dumb and unworthy. It was a sad time in Sonya’s life.
 Well, that’s certainly changed! Sonya participated in the Person Centred Planning process, and built a goal plan designed to help her take charge of her own life. Sonya identified that she wanted to become a strong, confident and independent woman who is unafraid to speak her mind to the world. She works on this plan every single day, keeping a diary of activities and thoughts with her throughout the day.
The goal plans through Person Centred Planning are truly a journey of self discovery. Sonya began her journey toward self respect and self confidence with a new hair-do, a new outfit, and planning her 40th birthday party.
This journey culminated in the making of a video for her friends and family. Sonya wanted to make a video about RESPECT. She wanted her message of self respect, respect for others, and overall kindness to be shown to everyone. Sonya arranged this entire process, and now this gift from Sonya is ready to be shared.
This journey isn’t complete for Sonya… she’ll be the first to tell you that she wants to do more and more!
Take a look at the video…. Get to know a bit about Sonya. It will be time well spent.
Cheers,
Barbara Fox
Manager,
CLS Auckland -
Focus 2000
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6 May 2008
Steamy Times in Rotorua!
 Two of our adventurous service users planned a trip to Rotorua over the long Anzac weekend.
August and Oliver were supported on their trip by the equally adventurous staff members, Isaac and Rasela.
August and Oliver are brothers, and decided they needed some “brotherly bonding” time, and invited their sister to meet up with them in Rotorua.
Fun and Food began early.
By all reports, Oliver and Isaac ate their way through the town… it’s a good thing August and Rasela kept them moving!
They rented two motel rooms, each with a HUGE spa pool in it!
We won’t share those pictures, but needless to say August and Oliver have both requested that a spa pool be purchased for Church Road.
They were invited onto the Marae, and were witness to a great cultural performance.
August and Oliver were both so excited to have their picture taken with two Maori Warriors.
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Although they weren’t able to get their wheelchairs too close to the boiling mud of Rotorua, they report that smell is just as pungent from a greater distance away.
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All in all, August and Oliver report having a marvelous time, and plan to repeat this trip as soon as possible. They are currently debating when they can plan a trip to Samoa, though… so Rotorua may have to wait!
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