Youth Engagement Programme
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What’s New
- The Ministry of Social Development have invested 2 years of funding into the Youth Engagement Programme to work with a further 116 youth over the next 2 years to provide development opportunities for youth.
- The delivery of the Single Parent Programme was another investment through the Ministry of Social Development to provide motivation, self-esteem and many other development opportunities, linking to other educational providers.
Click here to find out how this programme has helped single parents
Highlights
- That over the past year we have worked with a total of 90 youth to provide opportunities to develop individuals through sport. We have had the opportunity to provide them with employment, engagement, motivation, fun, support, mentoring, self-confidence, self-management, self-leadership, leading others and many more opportunities to grow.
- The support from BayTrust over the past few years has meant that we can now offer our services with consistency because we have the staff to deliver the programme who are passionate about their roles in helping the youth on the programme
- We have assisted with 52 youth who have gone into employment in the past 12 months, 22 have gone into tertiary education.
Success Stories
All youth have made positive changes to their mindset, attitudes and are following through with their individual plans and taking control of their own lives making good decisions for themselves.
Read a story written by Whakatane Youth Activity Coordinator George Kururangi about a recent programme graduate Raniera Taitapanui (Ra)
I was first introduced to Ra through the local probation office. I interviewed the young man who was quietly spoken and very respectful. I invited him to join our kaupapa and he did so with open arms. The following week he was scheduled to start I received a call from him to say that wasn’t going to come in – he’d secured a job.
Three months later I received another call from him asking if there was still an opportunity to start on the course as he’d decided the work he was doing just wasn’t for him. Ra and I were to spend the next 4.5 months together.
As time went by you see people develop or at least you begin to see the person for who they really are. Ra was showing the potential of a fine young citizen who was punctual, presentable and growing more confident in himself and his capabilities as we progressed. Over time he too would see young people come and go from the programme. Some to good opportunities and others to not so good.
The day would eventually come when he too was presented an opportunity. His advice – grasp it with two hands and go for it, which he did. When his prospective employer asked if he had any past or outstanding convictions – he asked me...‘what should I say?’. My advice is always ‘be straight up. It shows you have nothing to hide but most of all it shows you are being honest.’ He applied.
The company called me as a nominated referee. They were concerned with his conviction record which fell outside their criteria. However, the decision maker was prepared to offer a position to him based on my recommendation. With much tighter restrictions being placed on him over his three month probation period we are proud to say that Ra has not only completed the period without fault but has now identified a pathway within where he chooses to specialise.
Ra has been with the company now for 6 months and has already travelled domestically with work. Something that would have never happened if it wasn’t for his change in attitude and his never ending will to be better and to provide for his family. Well done Ra, we are proud of you as a graduate of our programme and you are an inspiration to others.
Click here to find out more about the Youth Engagement programme
