Relationship building

> To connect, support, and advocate for the refugee and migrant communities
> To maintain and establish stakeholder relationships
> To foster participation of newcomers in the community

Empowerment

To enable refugees and migrants to be engaged members of the community

Capacity building

To strengthen the organization, grow existing projects while developing new ones.

Hamilton Multicultural Services (HMS) Trust was established as a Charitable Trust in February 1999. The Trust was formed out of concern regarding the gaps in services for people from different cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The strategic focus of the Trust was to improve access for refugees and migrants to aid successful settlement and to increase the awareness of receiving communities.

• The first service offered by the Trust was the provision of an Interpreting Service and in September 1999 the first group of bilingual students trained as interpreters at the Auckland University of technology (AUT).
• In May of 2000 the Interpreting Service opened and operated from an office in Knox Street.
• The Trust moved in October of 2004 to the Multicultural Centre in Boundary Road (the former Marist Rugby Club rooms).
• October 2006 the Multicultural Centre was renamed the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre. By this time the projects and services of the Trust had grown considerably and the Trust also managed the Community Centre at the WMRC.

Operations Manager:

Ellie Wilkinson

Ellie began working for the Trust at the end of January 2010. Ellie comes to the Trust from a background in the community and voluntary sector, having worked in this capacity with the Tertiary Education Commission and with Wintec. Ellie has a sound understanding of the relationships between government and community groups. She has a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Adult and Community Education and Sociology and also comes to the Trust with significant local and government networks.

• You can contact her on elliew@hmstrust.org.nz or (07) 853 0461

Passport 2 Drive Manager:

Tania Pointon

Tania has been working for the trust since 2009 and has significantly improved reporting and accountability requirements for the Trust. Being an immigrant from South Africa, she has a strong and personal understanding of the migration experience. Tania now manages the Passport 2 Drive Community Driving School and the national Refugee Driving Mentor programme. She loves the challenge of working in a staff team where diversity and different types of expertise are so greatly valued. Tania’s background includes developing her own business in detecting fraud and was until recently the Treasurer for the Motel Association of New Zealand.

• You can contact her on taniap@hmstrust.org.nz or (07) 853 0460

Decypher Interpreting & Translations Manager:

Leanne Salisbury

Leanne joined Decypher in August 2011 and quickly developed a passion for supporting vulnerable people in our community for whom language is a barrier. Leanne had previously worked in management roles in the not-for-profit sector for over 10 years and has lived the majority of her life in the Waikato so brought extensive networks and knowledge with her to Decypher.

• You can contact Leanne on leannes@decypher.co.nz or (07) 853 0483

Ministry of Social Development
Migrant Employment Solutions – Assist skilled migrants into employment

Midlands Health
HealthRight Interpreting – providing interpreters to enrolled refugee clients in Midlands General Practices in Hamilton.

Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
Provides funding for the Refugee Driver Mentoring Programme

Ministry of Education
Computers in Home – A programme which delivers computer learning modules for  refugee families with school-aged children.

Trust Waikato
 Operational grant

Grant for Passport2Drive- Community Driving School

NZ Ethnic Football Festival

WEL Energy Trust
Grant towards vehicle costs for community driving school

Lion Foundation
NZ Ethnic Football Festival

NZ Lottery Board
Centre operational grant

Sky City Trust Hamilton
Driving project and interpreter training

COGS
Interpreter training

Hamilton City Council
Community Lease – Settlement Centre Waikato

DV Bryant
Grant for bilingual support for community driving school

Sports Waikato
Grant for sports equipment and holiday programme