Annie Rahe: The difference you make is a reward in itself
By Marieke Heeremans
Annie Rahe has a busy life. As well being Manager, Data Integrity & New Business at ING Investment Management, she also dedicates her time to volunteer with Disability Services at The Spastic Centre and its Ignition Mentoring Program, where she is a representative on the Foundation Steering Committee.
The Ignition Mentoring Program is an initiative of The Spastic Centre and the ING Foundation, which aims to build the self-esteem of teenagers with cerebral palsy. Project Coordinator, Peter Horsley, said that the outcomes of research on mentoring showed that "mentoring helped give young people the confidence, resources and skills they needed to reach their potential." One of the underlying philosophies of the program is also to change public opinion of inclusion of people with a disability. As Peter pointed out: "There are still negative and erroneous stereotypes and attitudinal barriers within general society."
Annie was paired with a young girl with mild cerebral palsy and met with her mentee every fortnight in a group setting where discussions would take place on issues chosen by the young people themselves. She is extremely passionate about her role as a mentor. Listening and supporting her mentee is particularly important. Annie explained: "Like any other teenagers, they are going through the turbulent stage of adolescence and they might be more open to a stranger. It is all about being their buddy, being their friend. It gives them confidence. The impact this program has on the teenagers can be significant." As Annie recalled: "It's a tremendous compliment to hear from the mother (of her mentee) that she has become more confident, more open and more chatty."
The Ignition Program also offers a varied calendar of events and sessions, such as a 'Visual Funk' art workshop and a Twilight Safari outing to Taronga Zoo. There are also 'Mentoring at ING' sessions on various topics, including career development and goal setting. The primary aim of these events and sessions is to help engage the teenagers as well as offer opportunities for the relationship between mentor and mentee to flourish. Annie believes this is the great strength of the program. She said: "You build a relationship and it takes a long time to get the trust. Maintaining the relationship is the most important part."
Annie was instrumental in organising a ski trip to Thredbo, involving 11 young people with disabilities and 11 ING volunteers. Peter explained that Annie helped to secure funds for the trip and helped advocate within ING to get the appropriate time off for the mentors. She fondly recalls the trip which, of course, she also attended and gave skiing a go, even though she couldn't ski. Peter added: "Set a great example to the students on how to tackle hard things in life."
Annie remarked: "The trip was a real ice breaker, to go away for a whole week." She said it provided the perfect opportunity for all the mentees to get to know and interact with each other as they all came from different schools and areas. "Some of the kids have never been out (away from home), you know, and it also gives the parents a break."
The Volunteers Manager at The Spastic Centre, Jackie Curnow, described Annie as someone who "displays commitment, optimism, patience and enthusiasm. Her contribution (to the program) is highly valued by the participants, their families, and by The Spastic Centre." The program concluded at the end of the year with a big graduation party and dinner and was attended by all the mentors, mentees and their parents. The program was a great success and will re-launch in March this year.
Annie's involvement in charity work started well before her time at ING and includes a five-year commitment as a secretary to the Sydney Saint Patrick's Day event, being a part of the organising of the parade through the city in March every year. She has also been involved in fundraising activities for the Barnardos Australia children's Christmas party and every year she runs Australia's Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for the Cancer Council, which she told me "is very dear to my heart."
Her role as a volunteer ING Charity Champion allows her to be actively involved in the promotion of ING Foundation activities to the business including assisting with the general activities of the foundation. Annie also engages in hands-on volunteering projects, such as Backyard Blitz with United Way, one of the foundation's charity partners. She was part of a team of 'orange angels' from different ING groups working together in "cleaning, planting trees, mulching weed, and putting up a fence. It was great." Annie has also done a Backyard Blitz with Presbyterian Youth Services that run homes for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. She has raised a lot of much needed funds for UNICEF, particularly for the UNICEF School Box project, helping over 640,000 kids affected by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar to return to temporary schools. "I would help everybody if I can. Everybody needs help out there. There are just different types of help."
Ever since her first volunteering experience with Barnardos many years ago, her ever continuing love for charity work has become second nature to her. It is an integral part of her everyday life. Without a doubt, Annie has herself touched many hearts and inspired many others around her with her outstanding efforts. She concluded: "The difference you make is a reward in itself."
Annie Rahe was nominated for the 2008 NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award. "I was blown away (by the nomination) because that's not why I do charity work."
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au | www.volunteering.com.au