Nice one, English Language Partners Wellington!
This dynamic organisation scooped the 'Supreme Winner' award for the Wellington City region at the 2013 Wellington
Airport Regional Community Awards.
Mayor Celia Wade-Brown hosted the event and spoke of the enormous contribution voluntary, non-profit organisations, such
as this year’s winner, make to Wellington. “The awards recognise the great work of our community sector, our volunteers,
and our people who make a difference in the lives of fellow Wellingtonians."
"We're very happy and delighted to receive the supreme award," says Zlata Sosa, English Language Partner' centre
manager. "I'm also quite humbled, as there were more than 70 organisations nominated. And we all do a great job in the
community."
Ms Sosa adds: "We're thrilled our local City Council, the Wellington Community Trust and the Wellington Airport
acknowledge and celebrate the work our volunteers, job mentors, teachers, staff and committee do with and for refugee
and migrant communities in Wellington."
Nicola Sutton, Chief Executive of English Language Partners, is delighted for the centre. "Our volunteers do a
tremendous job to make Wellington a truly welcoming city," she says.
"To take out the award in the Education and Child Youth Development category and then follow up with the award of
Supreme Winner is a fantastic achievement. A great acknowledgment of the work the centre does across sectors of the
community."
The 320 volunteers and 50 job mentors play a huge part in helping refugees and migrants find their feet in their new
country. "Not only by teaching English," says Ms Sutton. "By sharing their 'insider knowledge' of New Zealand, our
volunteers help people 'claim their place' and feel they really belong here. They build confidence to take the next
step, often into education or employment."
Jo Maxwell, Community Awards Manager, also congratulates the winners. "There is a high demand for these services in
Wellington, and English Language Partners have been doing it successfully for many years. We want to make sure they are
recognised and celebrated for their dedication and hard work.”
The ceremony was on Tuesday 6 August and the centre will be attending the regional awards gala dinner on Thursday 31
October at The Rock, Wellington Airport.
ENDS