Crime statistics report hits close to home for youth worker

WHAT: Paul Fong, a Police officer turned youth counsellor, who would once have been defined as a ‘troublemaker’ himself, is encouraging New Zealanders to see the potential in our nation’s youth following the release of the Ministry of Justice’s Youth Justice Statistics in New Zealand 1996-2006 report on Monday.

WHO: With the support of the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation’s World of Difference programme, this year Paul set up an initiative called Youth Quest, which provides a regimented three-month programme for at risk youth. Having successfully completed the first programme Paul strongly believes that locking youth offenders up is not always the best solution.

“I have seen first hand what can be achieved with a bit of support and encouragement. Often they just need good role models, structure and education to help them get back up on their feet and get ahead in life.

“When you see the four boys that have successfully completed our first Youth Quest programme you can’t help but feel there is a future for these guys. They leave here with a positive outlook on life, have stopped drinking and taking drugs, are getting jobs and are taking significant steps to become good members of society…they just needed someone to see the potential in them.”

Along with Paul four other 2006 World of Difference recipients are currently working in a range of youth-related areas from providing fatherless boys with positive male role models to educating youth about the dangers of disordered eating.

WHY: The World of Difference programme gives passionate people the chance to make a real difference to their favourite child or youth-related cause by paying the salaries and expenses of up to six people a year. It is the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation’s way of building stronger communities and supporting better outcomes for young New Zealanders.

WHEN: Applications close 5pm, Wednesday September 19 2007.

HOW: Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.vodafonenzfoundation.org.nz