Nathan is Visionwest’s Head of Organisational Development. He was previously GM Community Services.
Lots of people show up to Visionwest – families, whānau – each carrying their own story and their own need for support. My dream for each person and each whānau is simple: that they get as many chances as they need. A second chance, a third, a fifth – whatever it takes for them to live the life they want for themselves and their whānau.
Sometimes that chance looks like clearing an unpaid bill, food on the table, or access to counselling. Sometimes it’s just someone with a listening ear who believes in them. That’s what hope looks like. And that’s why Visionwest’s mission – building hope together – resonates so deeply with me. Because giving someone a chance is giving them hope. A chance to dream and to start again.
My journey with Visionwest started long before I joined the staff team. When I was in intermediate school, my mum worked at the kindergarten here. I’d walk over after school and hang out. My dad worked here too. I always had this feeling I’d end up at Visionwest one day – I just didn’t know when. I thought I’d build a career first, then return to give back. But life had other plans. I’m here and, four years in, I love it.
Visionwest is full of amazing people who care deeply. We’re here to meet with those who need support with whatever they need to move toward their life goals and dreams. So many people are stuck on the journey to fulfilling their life’s dream because of some roadblock that sits in front of them. It’s when they get to share those dreams that people can rally around them to help identify and remove those barriers and see dreams fulfilled.
I’ve seen it happen. I’ve even seen people who started as clients – maybe living in one of our homes – begin with volunteering, then stepping into paid work, and eventually moving through the organisation. Now they’re giving back to the very community they came from. That’s the kind of transformation that inspires me.
Seeing someone go from surviving to thriving – and then helping others do the same – that’s pretty amazing.