I’m In is a collective effort designed to support businesses to take a chance on kiwis and provide pastoral care and pre-employment support to jobseekers eager to enter the workforce.
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OUR MISSION
Guide, nurture, and empower vulnerable individuals throughout New Zealand to find meaning and purpose through sustainable employment.
INTRODUCING I'M IN
Tēnā koutou katoa, hello everyone,
At I’m In, our mission is simple: to help people overcome barriers and find meaningful, sustainable employment. From the start, we’ve focused on creating opportunities for those facing challenges, empowering them to build better futures for themselves, their whānau, and their communities.
We believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed. By providing personalised support, we help jobseekers develop essential skills and confidence, connecting them with employers who value their potential. As a result, businesses benefit from employees who are eager to work, hardworking, resilient, and ready to contribute with fresh perspectives and determination.
The heart of I’m In lies in the stories of the people we support. Like a solo father of three who rediscovered his passion for work after 10 years out of the workforce, or a refugee navigating language challenges to secure a job. Or a 21-year-old woman with ADHD and autism who, despite her diagnosis, thrived in a marketing assistant role. These are just a few examples of the hundreds of lives transformed through I’m In.
You can view stories of participants on our programmes for yourself at www.imin.org.nz/outcomes.
But our work goes beyond preparing people for employment. We connect participants with the support services they need to overcome personal and professional challenges, ensuring that employment isn’t just a short-term goal but a sustainable outcome.
The success of I’m In is shared by many—the families who support their loved ones, the dedicated staff at the Ministry of Social Development, the employers who take a chance on untapped talent, and the countless individuals who contribute to our mission behind the scenes.
As we reflect on what we’ve achieved together, we’re reminded that this is only the beginning. There is so much more to be done, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we can break down barriers, create opportunities, and make a lasting difference for individuals, families, and communities across Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi nui, thank you,
Thomas Maharaj
Founder - I’m In
FOR JOBSEEKER
BY JOBSEEKER
I'm Catherine, a member of the fantastic I'm In team! I found myself navigating in and out of benefits, often struggling to land a job that truly resonated with me. But everything changed when I joined the I'm In programme. It was the first time I felt genuinely heard and supported in my quest to find fulfilling work. Before securing employment I was unsuccessful at three different interviews.
After working with I’m In for 90 days through their pre-employment programme they decided to take a chance on me.
What’s truly remarkable about I’m In, is the level of empathy and understanding within the team. Knowing that each person had their own unique journey of being a job seeker made me feel more at ease sharing my own story.
Their commitment to hiring from the programme itself is a testament to their belief in the programme’s effectiveness and integrity. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be part of this team, and I'm thrilled about the opportunity to pay it forward and assist others just as the team did for me. I now spend my days at the Ministry Social Development sites across Wellington supporting others into sustainable employment.
Plus, the support I've received has been beyond amazing - NZQA accredited sales training, completing a mental health first aid certificate and I'm now on my way to getting my driver's licence!
Exciting times ahead, and I can't wait to contribute more as I continue to make a difference in the lives of others.