Youth workers and volunteers entertain at the annual general meeting of our community youth service. Photo / Christine McKay
There have been challenges for Tararua Community Youth Services, but it is delivering to our young people, financial adviser Peter Barton believes.
"As a non-profit NGO (non-governmental organisation) we've been challenged because the economy hasn't been great and things are tight with money not around," Mr Barton told the service's annual general meeting last week. "It's thanks to manager Jeanne O'Brien and the board that Tararua Community Youth Services are in such a good state."
Mr Barton said good management, better well constructed contracts and Jeanne and her staff sticking to their budgets and raising money, had allowed young people in the district to be well supported by the service.
"Jeanne and the team have worked out how to get a lot of bang for our buck," he said.
Tararua Community Youth Services had led New Zealand for its engagement and outcomes for its youth services, Jeanne told the meeting.
"Youth leadership has never been so strong with young people working proactively in our district," Ms O'Brien said.
"We're ensuring we support our young people's educational aspirations and the development of our study nests in Dannevirke and Pahiatua has been an innovative way to support young people with their education and learning."
Ms O'Brien said looking ahead she's excited by the future of youth health services in our district.
"Our young people have fallen victim to the lack of services for far too long, but finally, our voice has been heard and steps to establish youth health services here is exciting."
Retiring chairman Maureen Reynolds said the service had been working under a new agreement with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver improved services to people aged between 16 and 17.
"This project was around delivering to these youth the opportunity to encourage them to engage at a greater level and to assist them in gaining up to NCEA Level 2 qualifications or to move into training for employment," she said.
"This programme is funded on an outcomes basis and I'm delighted our service has reached the top bracket in the country for this project."
The youth service also has contracts for delivering programmes from Child, Youth and Family, Family and Community Services and the Lotteries Commission.
Mrs Reynolds said Ms O'Brien and her team had a passion to make life better for our district's young people.
"Jeanne has been extremely focused on keeping within budget, developing new initiatives, training and supporting her staff and assisting young people to focus on their needs in a positive way," she said.
"This role has been a huge part of my life, but I'm not standing again."
Mrs Reynolds said it had been wonderful to to be able to represent young people.
"This youth service is such an excellent organisation, it's been acknowledged by the Ministry of Social Development as being one of the best for the work done in helping young people.
"Without Jeanne and her team our young people would not be what they are today."
Ms O'Brien said Mrs Reynolds had shown real passion for young people and had led the service with heart.
"You have championed youth development, ensuring our young people have a voice," she said.
Tararua District mayor Roly Ellis acknowledged there had been some difficult years for the service.
"Grants were pulled out from under your feet, but Jeanne and her team have done an amazing job to reboot this service when two years ago we thought it might go under," he said.
Bob Dresser, chairman of the Dannevirke Community Board, said it was unfortunate only a small part of our community know about the wonderful work done by the youth services team.
Board member Annette Kendall agreed.
"So many people have no clue about the great work done here," she told the Dannevirke News.
"This is such an inspiring place for our young people."