|
Headquarters
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Verna McFelin
Founder &
Chief Executive
|
|
Being the Founder and Chief Executive of PILLARS Incorporated for over 20 years and having had the experience of a family member in prison herself in the early 1980’s, makes Verna one of the most specialist managers working in this field in New Zealand.
She has spoken at the 5th International Conference for Family & Corrections in Washington DC on prisoner / family services in NZ, edited an international journal on families and corrections from the New Zealand perspective and was recipient of the NZIM Alan Crothall Scholarship.
She is also a V.I.P. member of Cambridge Who's Who and has been selected for the top honour for 2008 - 2009 as the Professional of the Year representing Prisoner and Family Services.
|
|
Karen Currie
MANZASW
Dip Cnslg
Programmes Manager
|
|
Karen has worked in the area of social services as a volunteer and a paid employee. In her voluntary roles she has worked in retirement homes, community houses, prisons and has facilitated/recorded conferences for Restorative Justice Services. Karen is passionate about strength-ening families that are affected by imprisonment.
Karen has a Diploma in Counselling and is currently studying part-time for her Bachelors of Social Work. She is a full member of ANZASW. Karen was a recipient of the Ministry of Social Development's 2007 NGO Social Service Award.
|
|
Emma Currie
Fundraising Administrator
|
|
Emma is in the final stages of completing her BA/LLB at the University of Canterbury in Law and Mass Communication and works part-time alongside PILLARS Chief Executive managing fundraising requirements such as grant applications and accountability reports. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Megan Driller
BRecEd, Grad Dip Sec. Teaching
Office Administrator
|
|
Megan grew up in Pukekohe and moved to Christchurch 6 years ago to complete a degree in Outdoor Education and Adventure Recreation at C.P.I.T. She then trained as a Secondary Teacher and has been working in Alternative Education at Te Kaupapa Whakaora which is a part of Te Ora Hou, Otautahi.
|
|
Deborah Swaney
BA(Hons)
Mentoring
Coordinator
|
|
Deborah grew up in Christchurch and has a degree in English and Spanish from the University of Canterbury. Since graduating in 2007 she has spent her time nannying and overseeing the New Brighton Youth Alive Trust's programme for high schoolers.
|
|
Hania Wagenvoort
MANZASW
Dip S.W.
CertSocServ
Social Worker
|
|
Hania has worked in the community as a voluntary worker with women’s support groups to help break down social isolation. She then went on to work as a volunteer providing support for families in their home with parenting. During this time she completed her Certificate in Social Services and then a Diploma in Social Work in 2004. Her passion is working with families to create a strong parent-child relationship. She is a full member of ANZASW.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shona Baker
MANZASW
BA Psych, PGDipScWk
Social Worker
|
|
Shona grew up in the Hutt Valley and moved to Auckland in 2001 where she lives with her husband and two little boys. Shona is of Ngapuhi and English heritage and she enjoys working among the people of different cultures in Auckland.Shona's passion for social work comes from her belief that people requiring help can be empowered to help themselves. Shona enjoys encouraging people and celebrating with them when they realise their potential. Shona is a full member of the ANZASW. Before working at PILLARS, Shona worked for Child Youth and Family and the Waipareira Wraparound Service, as well as working and travelling overseas for some years. |
|
Annabelle Watson
LLB(Hons)/BA
Mentoring Coordinator
|
|
Annabelle grew up in Christchurch. She has worked as a commercial property lawyer for 13 years in Wellington, Edinburgh and Auckland. In between legal work she has also been involved in teaching ESOL and in working for charities and in arts administration. In recent years she volunteered as a tutor and mentor to refugee children, a very rewarding experience that led her to PILLARS and her role as Mentoring Coordinator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
