About Us
Our Purpose
People with disability work, socialise and thrive alongside the other diverse groups in our community.
The Chrome Collective exists to immerse those with disabilities into the wider community. We help those with disabilities create meaningful micro-businesses and offer training and employment opportunities, as well as advocacy services. The main goal for our organisation is proper community integration. We do this by welcoming people with disabilities into the larger community, to fully participate in life at the same level as non-disabled individuals with benefits to all.
Our Vision
Enriching the lives of people with Disabilities – immersed into their local community.
Our Mission
To achieve our vision by:
- Creating and supporting meaningful micro businesses
- Vocational training
- Enabling and developing employment opportunities
- Advocating for the rights of our community
The Current Landscape
According to Stats New Zealand 2013 Disability Survey, people with disabilities made up 27% of the population in the Bay of Plenty. People with disabilities are often excluded from social relationships, community participation, leisure activities, and employment. Currently Chrome Collective is the only local organisation offering support and integration in Katikati. There are few opportunities to genuinely be part of the community and Chrome Collective is changing this.
Community integration is vitally important to the overall health and well-being of a community. In too many cases, persons with disabilities are segregated and kept away from their non-disabled peers. But successful community integration gives people with disabilities a strong community presence without reducing them to their disability label.
Benefits of Integration for People with Disabilities
Regardless of disability status, everyone possesses unique talents and abilities and deserves the right to play an active role in society. Community integration programs keep people with disabilities engaged and provide them with opportunities to learn, work, and play alongside everyone else. Here are a handful of other benefits of community integration for people with disabilities:
● Helps them build practical life skills that lead to enhanced independence.
● Provides a path to recovery for those who feel isolated and unwanted.
● Gives them access to activities and services not available in segregated environments.
● Offers the chance to engage with others and the satisfaction of being part of a diverse community.
● Provides the opportunity to learn appropriate social behaviours and make new connections.
● Gives access to inclusive workplaces where they’re treated the same as their non-disabled peers.
Meet the Team
Shelley Robinson – DipT, Entrepreneur
Shelley is the Chrome Collective's General Manager that brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial skills and early childhood expertise to her role as Manager. With a background as the owner of Chrome Café, she has acquired valuable experience in running and managing a business successfully. This entrepreneurial mindset, combined with her qualifications in Early Childhood, equips Shelley with a well- rounded perspective on community development and the needs of vulnerable populations. Her practical experience in the café industry and knowledge in early childhood education provides a solid foundation for managing and overseeing the funded initiatives. Shelley's passion for supporting vulnerable communities and her business acumen make her a valuable asset in ensuring the success of our projects. She is a former MasterChef contestant with a passion for rescuing and distributing good-quality food. Her commitment to food has also led her to run a Food Sovereignty program at Te Puna School.
Sharaine Steenberg – M.Div. in Theology, Post Grad in Leadership in Urban Transformation, Entrepreneur
Sharaine is the Chrome Collective's Operations Manager. Over the past 17 years, Sharaine has worked in the Community Development sector in various roles and communities. She has experience as a hands-on entry-level Youth Worker, an Executive Manager with multiple staff and responsibilities, a Minister in a
congregation, and a Social Enterprise entrepreneur. Sharaine's diverse background and expertise in community development, leadership, and theology make her well-equipped to manage and oversee the operations of Chrome Collective. In 2015 Sharaine established a Resource Centre in Pretoria, South Africa that operated as a Social Enterprise supporting homeless communities. This experience makes her key to the development of a Community Resource Recovery facility in Katikati.
John Cass-Cook – Crew Captain
John has lived experience of disability in the community. He is currently in a supported living flat and is our ‘man-on-the-ground’ when it comes to any issues that our disability community is facing. Thanks to a subsidy from the Ministry of Social Development we have been able to employ him part-time and are constantly discovering new abilities that he has never been able to use. John attends Business After 5 meetings, works on the online shop, and is an integral part of our KaiGo staffing.
Elana Viljoen – KaiGo Coordinator
Elana joined our team in June this year as part of the KaiGo Food Rescue team. She's a real go getter and drives our project (and truck) like a boss!
Mariska Viljoen – Labyrinth for Lemonade
Mariska founded Labyrinth for Lemonade in 2019 and we are so excited to have her as the facilitator at our Training Programmes every Thursday. Her passion for people and eye for stunning craft creations makes her a valuable part of our team!