31 August.2007

MEDIA RELEASE

DARE Funding

A $20,000 sponsorship from Development West Coast will support initiatives associated with the regional DARE programme.

Bill Stanley, President of DARE says the wide reaching educational programme covers the West Coast from Karamea to Haast and targets ‘skills for life’ education for children and youth.

“The funding supports the employment of a part time coordinator who is responsible for bringing together all aspects of DARE that the Police Education Officers do not cover,” said Mr Stanley. “It also goes towards the costs of promotional material such as teaching booklets for students, pamphlets and T-shirts.”

DARE to make a choice, DARE to be you (a new programme), DARE to support your kids (for parents and communities) and DARE to reduce harm (also a new programme aimed at secondary school students) are the programmes delivered Coast wide.

Development West Coast supports these programmes as part of their Education portfolio. DWC’s CEO, Mike Trousselot said “the value of the programmes offered by teachers and the Police Youth Education Officers and the contribution they make to the well being of students and the community cannot be underestimated.”

Bill Stanley said the positive and supportive feedback they receive confirms the message is getting out there. “Our coordinator is getting more requests to speak to communities such as Lions, Rotary and Country Women’s Institutes and continues to work closely with ALAC.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media