Elevate Christian Disability Trust

08/04/2026

A friendly reminder to get your applications in for our term two in-take for Elevate Youth Collective... we would love to you or your young person join us.

You can apply today or learn more about the programme by visiting our website:
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/elevate-youth-collective/

🥳🪩🖌️👩‍🍳

06/04/2026

Are you considering volunteering for Family Camp this year?

Hear from Stephanie, a Family Camp volunteer in 2024 and 2025, about how she's found the experience of volunteering at Family Camp by reading below 🏕️🚐🌲🏞️

“I love coming to serve at Elevate Family Camp because it brings me so much joy seeing children with neurodiversity have a place to belong without judgment, to worship freely, and empowered to be themselves. It's a weekend where God is glorified as we are unified through His love and grace. There is no separation between young and old, neurodiverse or neurotypical. We all come bringing ourselves no matter if we're tired or joyful, nervous or excited. The most beautiful example of His church.

I love serving and working with children with neurodiversity because they too are created in God's image. I love seeing them express themselves fully without being held back. They bring me so much laughter as we spend time together playing games, chatting, and together learn about our identity in God. It is my privilege to come alongside them and be welcomed into their lives for a weekend. A blessing to know their families and hopefully give them some rest.

I remember hearing that families look forward to coming to camp because it is like Christmas to them. I've asked myself, how does such a significant weekend compare to my regular weekend?

And I realised, it really isn't a sacrifice, it is my honour to gift one weekend of the year.”

- Stephanie Yao

Thank you Stephanie for all you've given to Family Camp across the last few years! To others reading this, we hope it's an encouragement for you to apply to volunteer with us at our upcoming Family Camp in June. You can read more about volunteering at our June Camp down below 👇

https://elevatecdt.org.nz/family-camp-june-2026-ngaruawhahia/

31/03/2026

Elevate Youth Collective, term two applications are open! Apply today.

Visit our website to learn more...
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/elevate-youth-collective/

29/03/2026

Hard to believe, but the end of March 2026 is almost here. A huge thank you to all our generous donors who have given to our March Annual Appeal for 2026 thus far. If you would like to donate before the month is up, there is still time. You can head our website linked below.

Donate to our March Annual Appeal at: https://elevatecdt.org.nz/donate-2/

Stay safe if you are travelling anywhere this Easter, and may it be a lovely time of refreshing and reflection for you and your family.

27/03/2026

Very exciting news everyone! Applications for Family Camp June 2026 are open now. You can apply to attend as a family or to volunteer. Please help spread the word and we hope to see you there ♥️

Register today and read the pricing information by visiting: https://elevatecdt.org.nz/family-camp-june-2026-ngaruawhahia/

26/03/2026

Are you near Papatoetoe, Auckland?

Joy Ministries are hosting an Easter Service for 2026 for families/people with cognitive disabilities and their friends or carers.

Event Details:

Date: 28 March 2026
Location: Papatoetoe Bible Church, 31 Rangitoto Road, Papatoetoe
Timings: 10:00am Start, 10:45am - 11:30am Morning tea ☕️🍪

Contact either Jan on 027 641 2653, or Nadia and Altar on 027 548 8722.

God bless you in the lead up to this Easter.

25/03/2026

You can read our most recent letter from our amazing Director, Kirsty Armitage, by visiting the link below 👇

https://elevatecdt.org.nz/2026/03/march-annual-appeal-2026/

Photo caption: An example of the first page of the Directors’ letter, March 2026.

20/03/2026

Skits and Dramas are a fabulous way to communicate the beautiful gospel of Jesus Christ to people with a range of cognitive abilities!

We are pleased to publish a free downloadable resource called "Skits and Dramas: For ministry with people with cognitive disabilities" on our website.

The resource was written by Jan Bridgeman (and friends). Jan is the national leader for Joy Ministries with Elevate Christian Disability Trust. Joy Ministries is a wonderful branch of Elevate that operates primarily for people with cognitive disabilities and their whānau.

Check out the resource and share it with your Church or Kids ministry today! Link:
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/2026/03/skits-and-dramas-resource/

Thank you Jan and friends for helping compile this wonderful resource!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

19/03/2026

You might recognize Teremoana and Lani in this Hope Project NZ video? This couple have been involved in Elevate Christian Disability for a very long time. Well done for courageously sharing your story Lani and Tere to the Hope Project NZ. We pray that your testimony impacts many people this Easter.

Young, healthy and with a growing family, Lani and Teremoana both then faced serious health challenges. Facing significant mobility limitations, both found t...

15/03/2026

In the lead up to Easter, the Hope Project NZ have continued to release their annual Hope Booklet to thousands of homes across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

This edition of the Hope Booklet in 2026 is special to us as an organisation as it features some people and families connected to our ministry. Of whom we are so proud to be able to help pass on their stories via the Hope Project NZ. This video from the Hope Project NZ features Emma Cox, the founder of the Island of Misfits. Go Emma!

Diagnosed with autism, the social implications hit home for Emma during her teenage years. “Why do I struggle to connect with people? Am I worthy of love.” C...

13/03/2026

Are you in Te Puke tomorrow? This is a reminder that 'Joy in Abilities' is on tomorrow (Saturday, 14th of March 2026) at 2:00pm. The gathering is for carers and people with both abilities and disabilities.

Head along to St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on the corner of Oxford and Stewart Street in Te Puke.

The theme for the gathering is "Music Extravaganza!" There will be songs, piano, karaoke, flute, and stories! 🎤🪈🎹❤️

All inquiries by phone to Lesley please on +64 021 152 5173.

06/03/2026

Kia ora all. We invite you to consider giving financially towards Elevate Christian Disability Trust this March, 2026.

We have some projects and needs that you can also give to specifically if you are able. These are:

1. Regular giving towards operational costs.
2. Elevate Youth Collective
3. Family Camp
4. National Camp

We are so grateful for your consideration of our request, and welcome your prayer and support in other ways (eg. volunteering). Have a lovely day!