Helping youth 'get on with life'

A new transition home for youth in CYFs care was opened in Napier yesterday to help troubled youth "get up and get on with life".
Child Youth and Family (CYF) case services manager Lyn Mackay told a large group assembled for the opening how the home would be "supervised group home" for around five young people at a time while they learnt the life skills needed to reunite them with their families or become independent.
Eleven staff will work shifts around the clock to provide a supportive role and be an example of how to live normal lives.
"It's the transition to go home with their caregivers or live independently. To just get up and get on with life and do the right thing."
Residents will be aged between 12-17 and youth from Gisborne to Wellington will be eligible, though essentially it will stay local said Ms Mackay. Youth stay for up to six months at a time.
Family engagement worker Jim Depree said the home would be a place where youth would learn ways to deal with their issues.
"Teenage years, it's a time where a lot of people make mistakes and we are there to help them - it's a therapeutic, supportive approach - the problem is the problem, not the person and the family."
Pauline Lyons, team leader for the residence, has over 20 years experience with CYFs and has seen great results from other homes around the country.
"A young 15-year-old came with heaps of behavioral issues, attitudes, addictions and slowly started to transition back to his family. Slowly - each time strengthening ties. Eventually he decided to go home and gave it all up - he became a role model for others."
The first five residents arrive on December 6.