We believe that the purpose of The Kind Foundation – investing in the next generation – is about what we do now so as to build social capital for the future. We intentionally earn revenues from some of our programmes and services, and we re-invest those earnings into breaking down barriers to participation and meeting community needs. See more about this in Strategic Intent Statement.
The Kind Foundation
Mō tātou katoa. For all of us.
VISION
We strive for sustainable long-term social impact that maximises community wellbeing.
By 2050: Every person, family and business in our region will be positively impacted through Kind Foundation opportunities, programmes or services that are good for them or good for others.
MISSION
Making a positive difference every day.
We care about creating opportunity, enabling social connection, improving health and championing learning. We believe that social sustainability is a solution to inequity, and that our investment (of effort and resources) makes a positive difference to the lives of many people, families and communities, and therefore enhances the world in which we live.
CORE VALUES
Honesty Our people are honest, ethical and inclusive. This means we behave with integrity at all times, being truthful and honourable in both word and action. Our people front up to mistakes, are brave enough to speak their mind with integrity and professionalism, and are realistic about their capabilities and when they need help.
Responsibility Our people know that we are as good as the sum of our parts, and that as a team we will achieve more than as individuals. All of our team members take responsibility for their part of the work, and will strive to also support other members of the team. The bigger picture of the achievements of the whole organisation is what drives this core value: we each take pride in doing our individual roles well, secure in the knowledge that everyone else is doing the same.
Inclusion Mō tātou katoa is our tagline – which translates as ‘for all of us.’ This includes both participants and staff, and encompasses an ethos that people from all backgrounds, cultures, abilities and beliefs create a rich environment for communities to thrive. Our people will treat one another with respect at all times and expect the same of the many people and communities we serve.
Kindness We believe as an organisation that being kind to ourselves, our fellow human beings, the planet and the community will create an environment conducive to greater success. Our focus is to ensure that our actions reflect our words and our people demonstrate a high degree of compassion for others – their circumstances, their stresses, their points of view. In this way we role model the change we want to see in the world.
WHAT WE DO
✔ We provide a broad range of activities and services to all ages, backgrounds, genders, faiths and cultures. Some of these things are commercial and create income for us to re-invest into programmes and services that are subsidised or free – and this is how we create social and financial sustainability.
✔ We break down barriers to participation (be them financial, cultural, physical or social) to reach more people, and to be more inclusive and accessible in a world where often the people with money have more opportunities than the people who don’t.
✔ We do our work in the context of creating connections between people and between communities, and with a view to having a positive impact on people’s lives, the social system we are part of, and the environment in which we operate.
✔ We acknowledge that Aotearoa New Zealand is founded on Te Tiriti, and a meaningful partnership with tangata whenua is essential to achieving our vision.
Our Board
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Jon Purdue
President
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![Emily]()
Emily Walton
Trustee
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Ed Heald
Trustee
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Liam Conaghan
Trustee
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Josie Ogden Schroeder
CEO & Trustee
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![Hana O'Regan_]()
Hana O’Regan
Cultural Advisor
Strategic Intent
Safeguarding Children
The Kind Foundation is committed to providing a Child Safe environment for all children who come into contact with our organisation.
The Kind Foundation is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes a culture that is safe where the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount, and they are protected from any form of abuse or harm.
Privacy
This privacy statement outlines what personal information we collect, how we store, use and share it, and how you can access your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy when you visit our websites or contact us in any way.
We deal with your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, the The Kind Foundation Privacy Policy and this privacy statement.
Other Policies
Employment Opportunities
Work or volunteer with us
Being such a diverse organisation, we often have vacancies available across a wide range of skill-based roles. These range from hospitality to teaching and instructing, primarily paid roles, but we also have plenty of opportunities for volunteering too.
Our History
In October 2023, the YMCA Christchurch rebranded to The Kind Foundation.
Although we are no longer part of YMCA New Zealand and the Y Movement, we are very proud of our history here in Christchurch. Take a look at how our organisation has grown and developed since the 1800s.
