Youths centred on jobs after project

Castlecliff-based work programme the Ake Ake project has finished, with three of the four youths involved moving on to gain employment, and leaving behind a youth centre waiting to be used.
Jointly run by the Wanganui District Council and Yes 2 Youth, the Ake Ake project was funded under the Government's Community Max scheme, and primarily focused on building a youth centre for the community in the Yes 2 Youth building on Rangiora Street in Castlecliff.
The Community Max programme pays the minimum wage to youths aged 16-24 to work 30 hours a week for six months to complete projects for the benefit of the community or environment.
Coordinated by Pam Roy, the youth centre has been largely finished, having had a complete makeover and building work done in it to create an office space.
Yes to Youth programme leader Dot Greenfield said all that was left to do was plug up some holes in one of the walls, but funding was already in place for this work to be done.
Currently empty, they were also looking at finding sponsors to furnish the inside of the youth centre, which would incorporate a lounge area, tables and study area and a gaming and music area, she said.
There was a steering group in place who were looking at ways to make the youth centre available to the whole community as a space for youth programmes and workshops as well as a place to hang out.
Of the four work and income recommended youths who started the project, two dropped out and were replaced, but three of the final four who were all receiving benefits, have since found employment.
Kaz Fisher, 19, is now off the benefit and was employed by Yes 2 Youth as an administrator.
The course had helped turn her life around, she said.
"It was really cool, I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot of things, a lot about communication. I was a really shy person and didn't like to talk to anyone, and now I'm much more confident."
Kaz said she had learned a lot of new skills, including cooperation and particularly in drawing and stencilling, making her a more creative person than she was when she went into the programme.
The youths also undertook NZQA-accredited courses at the Wanganui Learning Centre in literacy and numeracy, first aid training and classes about the Treaty of Waitangi.
It was a shame that the Government was no longer funding Community Max courses, she said.
"I reckon they really open people up and encourage them to do more," she added.
To find out more about the centre and how to help contact Dot Greenfield at Yes 2 Youth.