"For ease of access, it would ideally need to be close to a bus route and with one or two carparks, and close to green space to run physical activity exercises."
Mr Pou said the programme had been well-received by various agencies and therefore more youth were being nominated to attend the programme.
Mr Pou said Sport Bay of Plenty ran two separate Youth Engagement Programmes after securing a Ministry of Social Development contract.
The programmes were also run in Rotorua and Whakatane.
"Individuals through our programme come from all walks of life - some suffer from extreme anxiety, some have left school and are at a loss about what to do, and some have been referred by the courts as a way to turn their life around."
About 16 programme graduates had been employed this year, Mr Pou said.
Mr Pou said students' confidence improved during their time in the programme.
"They have a new sense of purpose and have improved their social skills," he said.
Programme graduates often returned to the organisation to share their success whether it was finding a job, starting the study or regaining confidence and motivation, Mr Pou said.
"Success can be measured in several different ways," he said. "For some, success is giving up the drugs or giving up the bottle, securing employment, connecting back with their communities and families.
"For others, it is just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Individual success can look very different to success from a society perspective."
Graeme Dingle Foundation Bay of Plenty regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon said they were also experiencing demand for their programmes, Project K and Kiwi Can.
Project K is a 14-month programme designed for Year 10 students to build confidence, learn life skills, promote good health and encourage positive attitudes.
Kiwi Can is a values and life skills programme designed for primary and intermediate school students.
"We have 3000 kids in our programmes," said Mr Allen-Gordon. "We have got a number of schools that want our programmes."
However, there was not enough funding available to keep up with demand.
"We needed more resources in terms of being preventative and building resilience."
Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced seven youth sector organisations would share $65,000 funding to help them provide new youth development opportunities for 640 young people on March 30, 2017.
The Tauranga Youth Development Team was given $10,000 to support 100 Bay youth to be part of a project developing a series of local youth events, including workshops, team building and social events.
A new lease on life
Hamiria Tawa, 20, signed up to Sport Bay of Plenty's Youth Engagement Programme last year.
"At the time I was 85kg and was very self-conscious of my weight, so I talked to Paul Pou about going back to the programme."
Miss Tawa was living at home with her parents and said she would never leave the house.
She said the programme helped her become more confident with her body.
"I have become happier with my weight. It has helped me to be more open to opportunities."
The 20-year-old had also developed an interest in physical fitness.
"The programme has helped me through so much and with the help of Paul Pou and Cameron Andrews [youth engagement advisor]."