An organisation that is Community Owned, Community Driven was first mooted around 1980, by the Citizens Advice Bureau, who thought that having a social service and welfare group established could only help the South Waikato Community.They believed (and rightly so) that Tokoroa and the South Waikato was in need of an organisation that could support the needs of families, and to ensure that their needs were brought to the attention of those groups, organisations and agencies that could assist in making a difference to their lives.

They felt that the South Waikato could benefit from a wider network, so they became an affiliated organisation of the New Zealand Council of Social Services, hence TCOSS’ name of the Tokoroa Council of Social Services.

TCOSS was formalised on 19 September 1991.  With this came the employment of a Community Development Worker for the South Waikato, Mrs Patricia Seymour.  Pat started with no office. phone, car, pens or paper and a Board Member wrote a personal cheque so that TCOSS could be solvent!

A strong bond was also developed with the Tokoroa Borough Council, who then became the South Waikato District Council. This bond has continued with the South Waikato District Council supporting TCOSS and the Community Centre. TCOSS has also undergone a number of changes, since it was first conceived and has moved from a force of one to now having18 staff who are passionate about helping, empowering adn supporting families in the community.staff. We have also had the privilege of having dedicated Community-minded people, join the TCOSS family and agree to be members of the governing Executive Committee.

TCOSS works through six major areas
* Early Years Service Hub – improving service coordination for vulnerable children;
* Hippy – A programme to follow on from the PAFT programme and is for children 4-6 years of age;
* Family Centred Service – supporting families who  are affected by family or domestic violence;
* Family Support Service – giving client families better management skills for everyday life;   * Integrated Attendance Service – formerly the Truancy Service, we work with 20 schools to assist ensuring school attendance and assist non-enrolled students with their education pathways;
* Social Workers in Schools – working with 13 schools in the South Waikato and Mangakino districts.

Heavily embedded in the community TCOSS goes from strength to strength supporting, guiding, helping, advising.

10am-12pm on Wednesday 28th of October.

Our members will soon be receiving CNA documents for the Annual General Meeting
and our Zoom invite for you to attend online.

Any questions? please contact us on info@communitynetworksaotearoa.org.nz