November 3rd, 2011

Community and agencies come together to aid youth

The community has joined forces with a number of support agencies to further the Youth Potential Project which is focused on providing support for young people in Flaxmere and Camberley.

Hastings District Council invited community providers, school principals, Police, and representatives from the District Health Board and Primary Health Organisations to look at further initiatives which would result in the very best outcomes for our youth.

The new 'Rock on Truancy' initiative was outlined, which aims to reduce truancy and youth offending and increase engagement in education. Flaxmere Youth Aid officer James Mason says "the initiative will identify chronic truants who have not responded to help from within the schooling system and they will be offered further support from the appropriate youth agencies."

Other outcomes from the meeting included

• Community support for the Youth Potential Project was secured. The initiative aims to provide opportunities for young people to reach their potential and offset the negative impacts such as gang participation and violence

• The development of the Hastings Youth Awards which will celebrate and reward the achievements of those who are doing the hard yards in the community. The awards presentation will be held in the Council Chambers on December 5thy at 6pm

• Promoted registration for the Hawke's Bay Young Workers Collective

Flaxmere Councillor Henare O"Keefe says "It's important that the various agencies work together in a coordinated manner to achieve outcomes for the community which aid the growth of the city and help our youth on to bigger and better things."

Fellow Councillor Jacoby Poulain says "Youth are our future. They must be supported and I am excited by the Youth Potential Project. It's important for the whole region that we provide the means for young people to achieve their potential while those who are struggling are given support to point them in the right direction."

Purena Koa Rehua Director Kayren Hatherell says "There is so much good work being done in Flaxmere and Camberely by many community minded people and this multi agency approach is an extension of that. At risk youth must be identified early and helped on to a path which will lead them to work and self sufficiency."

Henare O' Keefe says "The whole district will benefit by ensuring our youth are supported and encouraged to become a productive part of the community."

ENDS

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