Nurturing Resilient Youth Launch

The Nelson community is being told to get involved if it wants to solve the problem of anti-social behaviour among young people.

This is the focus of a new initiative to be launched in Nelson in May. The Nurturing Resilient Youth (NRY) project grew out of a youth forum held during the Anglican Diocese and Nelson City 150th celebrations in 2009. From this the Nelson Safer Community Council established the youth resiliency initiative.

NRY Committee member and Executive Director YMCA Nelson Ron Kjestrup, says although overall young people in Nelson are motivated, engaged, sociable and developing into rounded adults, there is a growing number of young people becoming increasingly vulnerable and exhibiting antisocial behaviours.

“In order to shift this trend the community needs to become involved - it is a community issue, not just for young people,” he says.

The NRY committee will launch the concept of a community wide approach to developing resiliency in our young people at a public event and workshop titled, ‘Nurturing Resilient Youth: Everybody Matters - It’s Better Together’. Researcher and social commentator, Celia Lashlie is the keynote speaker at the launch on Wednesday, 4 May in the Nelson College for Girls hall.

“Celia is an outspoken commentator on parenting, criminal justice and youth issues,“ Ron says. “Her presentation will provide an opportunity for all nurturers in the Nelson region to join together, focus on what we can do as a community, and take actions that will help youth and their caregivers become more resilient and more able to face the changes and challenges of living positively.”

Following the launch, there is a full day workshop on Saturday, 7 May at Victory Community Centre devoted to identifying key issues, so an action plan can be developed with follow-up activities in the community.

Resiliency experts and NRY committee members, Mike Milstein and Annie Henry will talk about resiliency at the launch and facilitate the workshop. They describe resiliency as ‘the ability to bounce back from adversity, learn new skills, develop creative ways of coping and becoming stronger.’

They say resiliency is built through positive connections between young people and their communities; clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries; life guiding skills; nurture and support; purposes and expectations and meaningful participation throughout the community.

For more information contact resilient.youth@clear.net.nz . or visit http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/nurturing-resilient-youth/

NRY Launch: 7pm Wednesday, 4 May 2011, at the Nelson College for Girls. Everyone is welcome.

NRY Workshop: 9am-4pm Saturday, 7 May at Victory Community Centre.

Ends

© Scoop Media