2023 CRS AGM Announcement
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF CHRISTCHURCH RESETTLEMENT SERVICES We cordially invite you to attend the Annual General Meeting of Christchurch Resettlement Services, to be held at 1.00pm on Wednesday 27th September…
Sandy – Former Board Member, Chairperson
Sandy got involved with CRS in the early 2000s. At that time, she was a funder at the Ministry of Health and was given CRS (not called CRS back then)…
Ji Yun – Family Harm Practitioner
Ji Yun started working for CRS in 2022 as a Family Harm Practitioner. She kept in touch with the agency and many of the staff over the years since her…
Madeleine – Intern
Madeleine is a University of Canterbury student, working towards a Master in Writing. As part of her studies, Madeleine was placed in an internship with CRS in February 2022. The…
Paola – Administration
Paola came to New Zealand from Italy in 2008. She studied English at CPIT (now ARA) in 2012, which led to her gaining employment through the polytechnic. With a background…
Deborah – Strategic Engagement, Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Deborah came to know CRS through her role with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. Deborah says CRS have had a huge part to play in service provision with migrant background…
Felicite – General Manager (Former)
Felicite is the former General Manager of CRS. She began working for the agency as a Social Worker in 1996 and worked for the agency for twelve years. When Felicite…
Ann-Marie – Sector colleague
Anne-Marie was a volunteer for New Zealand Resettlement Services, as well as Refugee and Migrant Services (RMS). In 1992, Anne-Marie successfully applied for the position of Manager at RMS. She…
Shirley – General Manager
Shirley has been with CRS for 25 years. She completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work at the University of Canterbury and did two placements at CRS in 1995,…
Wahida – Board Member
Wahida has been involved with CRS firstly as a client, when she came to New Zealand as a young girl in late 2004. While in high school, Wahida was looking…
Claire – Principal Advisor of Community Planning and Partnerships, Christchurch City Council
Claire has been involved with CRS almost since its inception. Claire used to work for the Canterbury Development Corporation at Christchurch City Council, where she managed the services unit with…
Rika – Counsellor
Rika started working as a counsellor for migrant background people after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. She then became involved with CRS eight years ago. Rika moved to New Zealand 20…
Khuma – Community Connector
Khuma has had a variety of roles since joining CRS in 2018. She has worked as a Bilingual Worker and Social Worker Assistant, and is now a Community Connector. When…
Sally – Board Member
Through her former role with the Human Rights Commission, Sally came to be on the Board of CRS in 2016. Sally has worked closely with refugee and migrant background people…
Peter – Mental Health Team Leader (Former)
Peter first joined the CRS team in 2000 as a Social Worker, predominantly assisting asylum seekers. He worked with CRS for five years before leaving to pursue other work, returning…
Judi – Founder
Judi brought CRS to life back in 1992. She had a background in social work and had worked closely with Pacifica and migrant background people, and had also worked for…
Marita – Administrator
Marita has been involved with CRS for many years. In the early days of the agency, she worked alongside Judi Bastin teaching English as a second language at a local…
Maha – Social Worker
Maha has been an employee with CRS since April 2019 as a Social Worker. She has been involved in the team supporting people affected by the March 15th attacks. Maha…
John – Board Member, Deputy Chair
John is the Deputy Chair on the Board of Trustees and has been involved with CRS for over 15 years. In the early years of his work during his time…
Zeinap – Partnership Community Worker (PCW)
Zeinap is a BCW at CRS, originally from Somalia. Her role provides support to clients through various navigation services. She helps clients enrol with GPs, supports clients with Work and…
Galawezh – Community Connector
Galawezh moved to New Zealand in 1998 and accessed support from CRS as client. Since 2004, has been an employee of CRS in a variety of roles. She has worked…
Wubet – Community Worker, Interpreter, Social Worker
Wubet moved from Ethiopia to Kenya, before arriving in New Zealand in 2002. She has lived in Christchurch ever since. Wubet was first a client with CRS before becoming an…
Qaali – Social Worker Assistant, Bilingual Worker
Qaali had support from CRS as a client and wanted to give back to the community. She says she has lots of “hats” in her roles at CRS. She joined…
Rana – Community Connector
Rana started working with CRS in 2022 as a Community Connector. As part of her role, she helps clients who are self-isolating due to Covid-19, as well as helping clients…
Patrick – Sector colleague
Patrick is one of the co-directors of education provider PEETO the Multicultural Learning Centre. Formed in 1991, the school provides English language education to international students, migrants and refugees. PEETO…
Reza – Afghan Community Navigator
Reza began working for CRS in January 2022 as an Afghan Community Navigator. Prior to his employment, Reza accessed support from CRS as a client when he moved to Christchurch.…
Alastair – Family Harm Practitioner
Alastair has enjoyed a varied career with CRS since 2010. Coming on board as a Youth Development Community Worker in late 2009, Alastair was involved in organising camps for young…
Maryanne – Assistant Social Worker
Maryanne has been involved with CRS since 1998 in a variety of roles. Starting as a volunteer helping clients get to ESOL classes, Maryanne went on to become an Assistant…
Melissa – Family Harm Practitioner, Integrated Safety Response
Melissa has been with CRS for 12 years in a multitude of roles. Joining the team in 2009 as a Social Worker, Melissa has gone on to become an integral…
Brenda – Board Member, Chairperson
Brenda is the Chairperson of the CRS Board, having taken on the position in 2020. Brenda’s role is to coordinate the monthly Board meetings, with her main role being that…