Growing regional service gets name change

In a move to better reflect the nature of its important role in the region, Homebuilders Community Services has changed its name to Otamatea Community Services Inc.

 

The current service had its humble beginnings back in the 1980s when Rose Plunket and Rosemary Jones began a family help service operating out of their homes into the rural township of Paparoa. Concerned for children in need, the pair assisted families needing support in their area.

Serving their community with an enthusiasm that gained them much respect, the organisation they initiated was formalised under the name of Homebuilders Family Help Maungaturoto/Paparoa Inc.

A decade later, and needing room to grow, then-manager Jan Robinson opened premises in the main street of Maungaturoto. 

A few more years later Homebuilders home-based family support and parent education services were being offered in Kaiwaka and Mangawhai. 

Now, parent coach staff visit homes in Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Matakohe and surrounding districts.

Eventually Homebuilders Family Help became Homebuilders Community Services, but name confusion and enquiries about building houses meant having to leave behind the Homebuilders name altogether, changing this month to Otamatea Community Services Inc. 

Current manager, Denise Meiklejohn, is excited about the name change. 

“It is something I have been wanting for some years,” she says. “We belong in the Otamatea, we have been serving the Otamatea district for many years. Now that the formal name change process is past we will be updating our brochure to show the counselling, family support, parent coach, senior support, domestic violence call line, and foodbank assistance that we provide.”

LOOKING FORWARD: Otamatea Community Services manager Denise Meiklejohn is excited about the rebranding of the growing service organisation.
 

Need help or want to know more? Call in to the Otamatea Community Services premises at 155 Hurndall Street in Maungaturoto, or phone (09) 431 9080.