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YMCA helping Flaxmere children to broaden horizons
19 November 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
YMCA helping Flaxmere children to broaden horizons this summer
Young people in Flaxmere will be given the opportunity to explore Hawke’s Bay and try new experiences over the upcoming summer holidays as part of a YMCA Hawke’s Bay new initiative.
The Breakaway programme is fully funded by the Government and is targeted at youth aged between 11 and 17 years. Its aim is to provide constructive activities for at-risk youth who could drift into anti social activities due to boredom over the holidays.
YMCA Hawke’s Bay’s newly appointed Breakaway Coordinator, Naema Thompson is presently developing an itinerary of day trips to locations and activities around the region for the five weeks of the programme.
“A big part of Breakaway is the opportunity to travel out of Flaxmere to see what else there is to do in the area. Some of these kids have no idea and no reason to leave Flaxmere. We want to broaden their horizons and show them how to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.”
Fishing, beach days, archery, movies, pool days are among the day activities being investigated for the Monday to Friday programme. It is a stipulation of the Breakaway contract that there is at least one hour of physical activity incorporated into each day.
Two buses will collect the children who will be separated into age groups 11 to 13 years and 14 to 17 years, and take them to age appropriate activities then drop them back to Flaxmere at the end of the five hour session. A snack and drinks will be provided.
There is no charge for the programme and YMCA Hawke’s Bay chief executive, Peter Andersson believes this fact will be a big attraction. “We work with youth and their families and we know how hard some families try to keep their kids on the straight and narrow but if both parents are working, that can be hard, especially over the holidays.
“We know we can run these programmes, we have the experience, and we can do things differently. We see there will be a huge flow-on benefit as older kids set better examples for their siblings and peers, and the reduced anti social behaviour will have a positive influence across the whole community.”
Miss Thompson, who holds a Diploma in Sports and Recreation and currently works for YMCA Hawke’s Bay as a supervisor for one of its OSCAR after school services, will be joined each day by other staff and Y-Force volunteers.
“We are recruiting more volunteers now and are especially keen to find more mature helpers who want to make a difference in the future of the Flaxmere community,” Miss Thompson says.
Pre-enrolments for the Breakaway programme or Y-Force volunteers can be made by phoning YMCA Hawke’s Bay on 878 3207. The programme will run from December 20 to 24 and then resume early in the New Year until 28 January.
ENDS
YMCA
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The Y has been in New Zealand for over 168 years, building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. There are 48 Y centres across New Zealand.
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