Reporoa Trust recognised for efforts
They pride themselves on helping young people with learning difficulties and now they are in the running for nation-wide recognition.
Reporoa’s Empowered Learning Trust have been named as one of 10 finalists in the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year category in the 2017 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Trust manager, Karen Barker, said they were initially surprised about being named as a finalist but then they felt humbled and excited.
‘‘It was just so humbling to be named alongside all of the amazing organisations,’’ Barker said. ‘‘There are many organisations out there doing some incredible things. We are excited but humbled.’’
Empowered Learning Trust are a charitable trust run by volunteers, that deliver specialised screening programs in collaboration with local schools to help identify and support young people with learning and processing difficulties such as Irlen Syndrome and Auditory Processing Disorder.
Processing and learning difficulties affect around 20 percent of the general population, and often go unnoticed until a young person is well into their educational journey.
Last year the Trust worked in Taupo Primary School where they fitted around 65 sets of corrective lenses at no cost to families and are supporting around the same number of children with APD programs.
Barker said they are planning to visit Taupo Primary and other schools in Taupo in 2017 to carry out the programs once again.
‘‘We are most grateful to be supported by fantastic local schools, community groups and businesses to make these projects happen so that we try and ensure that no child gets left behind,’’ she said.
‘‘Our programs aim to identify any child struggling with visual processing issues, Auditory Processing Disorder, or other learning difficulties early on in their schooling.
’’We then aim to help provide corrective and/or tinted lenses, therapy for APD, or support for learning difficulties at little or no cost to families.’’
The winners will be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala in Auckland on February 22