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Gulf Harbour was one of the final stops in American sailor Elana Connor’s fundraising circumnavigation of NZ.
She arrived at Gulf Harbour marina last month after a journey that took seven months and raised more than $43,000 to give youth living in foster care the opportunity to sail on the Spirit of NZ.
While in Gulf Harbour, she was given a free berth at the marina. She spoke at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club on May 14 to members, as well as students of Whangaparāoa College’s sailing club.
Currently she is making connections with young people in care – including on the Hibiscus Coast – through the NZ charity Voyce, which advocates for them.
Having lived in foster care from the age of 15 to 18, Elana says she knows what it’s like to hit your late teens and not be supported.
“After your 18th birthday, you ‘age out’ of foster care and from that point on you are completely responsible for yourself,” she says. “It can be a lonely, uncertain and challenging time for a young person. Opportunities like the Spirit may help as these teenagers try to figure out what to do next. Programmes like that give a booster shot of life skills like communication, teamwork, resilience and leadership. Being outdoors is really healing for survivors of trauma and most kids are in care because of some sort of trauma. Getting them outdoors is an investment in their wellbeing and, of course, also gets them off their phones.”
The fundraising voyage came about after Elana arrived in NZ from San Francisco at the end of last year for a stopover on her solo circumnavigation of the world. Covid-19 restrictions kept her here, and forced a change of plans.
She decided to embark on a figure-of-eight voyage around NZ and the connection with Voyce sealed the deal.
The money raised will form the basis of a scholarship fund. The amount donated so far is enough to put 17 young people on one of the Spirit’s life-changing 10-day voyages.
Elana says the experience, including the connections she has made with New Zealanders, has made her more determined than ever to support children in care.
“My plan is still to do the global circumnavigation, but I have no immediate plans to leave here,” she says. “I’ve made incredible connections in the NZ yachting and care sectors and I’d love to continue to work on behalf of those young people – to break down barriers and create opportunities on and off the water. There is so much urbanisation of children in care and many are not aware of potential jobs in the maritime industry. I’d love to help build those pathways.”
Elana is currently still in Auckland, and looking for opportunities to come back to the Hibiscus Coast and connect with young people in care, give talks, have people on board her boat and raise more money. She says community groups, such as Rotarians, as well as local schools, have been strong supporters.
Elana can be contacted by emailing communications@voyce.org.nz
Donations can still be made on the Givealittle page, Voyage for Voyce.
More info: www.peregrinasails.com
