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Youth mentoring scheme gains funding boost

Author
Andy McMartin,
Publish Date
Sun, 5 Mar 2017, 3:09PM
The Chatham Islands are among the communities who qualify for the scheme. (Ville Miettinen)
The Chatham Islands are among the communities who qualify for the scheme. (Ville Miettinen)

Youth mentoring scheme gains funding boost

Author
Andy McMartin,
Publish Date
Sun, 5 Mar 2017, 3:09PM

A government scheme aimed at mentoring young people in island communities is getting a funding boost.

The Small Communities Youth Grant Fund is for isolated communities like Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and Waiheke.

The Aotea Family Support Group of Great Barrier Island is set to receive $5,000. Some of it will go towards sending a group of youngsters to a touch rugby tournament.

Manager Rendt Gorter says the increased funding is great news.

"We've got very few facilities and we've got very few opportunities to take part in growing our connections with other young people," he said.

"For us it's important that young people grow up to become part of the wider community."

Gorter believes such programmes make a real difference in the lives of youth.

"Good, positive opportunities have to exist to stay engaged with their education and career development."

The Ministry of Youth Development website states that the fund was established to "ensure young people from New Zealand’s island communities have access to similar opportunities to their peers from mainland New Zealand".

 

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