Media release 22 May 2008

Celebrating The Positive Contributions Young People Make To Society

The Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) is encouraging people across New Zealand to show their support for young people, by getting involved in Youth Week 2008 which runs from May 26 to June 1.

As a leading organisation managing three proven programmes (Kiwi Can, Project K and Stars) designed to lift the skills, motivations and achievements of young New Zealanders, FYD frequently witnesses the amazing contributions young people make to society.

“Given the opportunity and with the right support it’s amazing what young people can achieve,” says FYD co-founder Graeme Dingle.

“We have a student who is the youngest person accepted to Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama school, a successful rugby player in Hawkes Bay who is being eyed for the 2015 World Cup and a young lady in Wellington who is on the Senior Executive Committee at Taita College for the second time and a First Foundation Scholarship recipient.”

This year, Youth Week will focus on the theme of ‘relationships’ and that when young people aged 12 to 24 have someone positive in their lives and are supported and encouraged, they thrive.

A student from FYD’s flagship programme Project K, which has an adult mentoring component said this about their relationship with their Mentor, “My Mentor is fantastic and always there to help and have a laugh with, she’s like part of the family. She has helped me achieve so much, like getting my first job, encouraging me and helping me study for my driver’s license and keeping me on track with my goals.”

Stars, another FYD youth programme, also focuses on the importance of strong and positive relationships for youths and uses Peer Mentors to assist Year 9 students with a safe transition into high school.

One student says, “Peer Mentoring meant a lot. It helped me become less shy and helped me socialise more with everyone. It gave me courage to work with my group, share my ideas and to become friends with new people.”

There are many options for people to show their support for Youth Week 2008 including attending one of the many events happening around the country, wearing a hoodie on Hoodie Day or just spending time with a young person or asking a young person about their views on a issue.

For more information on Youth Week 2008 and events please visit www.youthweek.org.nz.

For more information on the Foundation for Youth Development and Project K, Stars and Kiwi Can. please visit www.fyd.org.nz.

ENDS

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