TYC Leaders

Title: TYC Leaders

It appears you don't have Adobe Reader or PDF support in this web browser. Click here to download the PDF

Title: TYC Leaders
Organisation, school or club: Tuakau Youth Centre
Summary: We run an after-school program that's youth led. They help our kids with buddy reading, homework, Arts and Crafts, sports, music, cultural activities, good role-modelling, community engagement, schooling etc. We run by a roster of volunteers and youth leaders. Volunteers are there to guide and oversee, Senior leaders supervise, Youth Leaders help run the activities and Junior Leaders participate while encouraging good behaviors as well as helping with afternoon teas. They are taught great values like commitment and compassion within our community. Our Motto is TRANSFORMING YOUTH ONE KID AT A TIME.
Who was involved in the project and how was it lead by youth? (250 words): We have a great group of volunteers who help support our leaders. Our leaders have their own committee and meetings to help involve them in decision making, it helps build a sense of inclusion in the way Centre is run. As Operation Manager it's my job to ensure our leaders understand their roles and the importance of youth being led by youth. Our younger generation look up to our leaders, so leading by example plays a huge part in role modelling. Our leaders also like to implement their own interests and hobbies into our daily programs e.g., Y/L Katie who like horses will be running a Pony Day in our upcoming Holiday Program. Kids will be taught how to ride them with the help of Youth Leaders Katie and Volunteers. Y/L Nykayla who enjoys performing arts has helped run an acting session alongside a drama tutor. Sport fanatic leaders will help coach and ref sports. Arty leaders will teach drawing/coloring in sessions. Leaders will help our kids with their homework and reading at the library. Our leaders lead on a daily basis. They connect better with our youth and know which direction we need to go, therefore need to take the reins.
How did they identify that there was a need for the initiative/programme, and did you address any barriers (eg. time, cost, location)? (250 words): It became clearer after COVID how much encouragement and positive engagement our tamariki/rangatahi needed. Our youth centre has been running for 7 years, we've always had a youth leadership group since then, but it was COVID that highlighted how much we needed to expand on the leadership age groups, so many were falling through the cracks. How we needed a more relaxed approach and bring down our expectations. This could only be done through the eyes of our young people. Also needed to relook at our locations. A newly built skate park built in 2022 was a huge highlight bringing kids back out to socialize. However, it attracted a lot of bad behaviors e.g. Vaping, Truancy, Bullying. There was a need for our presence and our leaders to teach the young one's good values like respect, kindness and positivity as well as encouraging safety wear. We are there once a week to keep an eye on things while our leader's bond with other youth. Have come a long way in promoting good behaviors. We also operate out of a local Church once a week in the main township. The need of our presence was required again because of the bikers' doing wheelies in the township as well as other unlawful behaviors. It was also good for our leaders to help the Church with their community BBQ. Leaders help cook the BBQ encouraging other youth to participate in community engagement and participation.
Tell us what has happened in the last 12 months to address the need (250 words): Skate Park intervention: Every Tuesdays we operate at Tuakau Skater Park to keep an eye on behaviors and our leaders role model good behaviors.

Tuakau Activate Church: Leaders help community BBQ and encourage youth participation.

Tuakau Library, once a week Leaders help youth with buddy reading and homework.

Rangatahi Sports Night: We collaborate with Local Police, Oranga Tamariki, Solomon Group and Tuakau Community Connect running a youth sports night for the wider community. Our leaders help with referee, set up, clean up and BBQ.

Community Fruit picking: An initiative we also do once a week picking fruit in our community. Our leaders help walk our kids to allocated areas and help them pick as well as teach them the importance of sharing in our community.

Hei Tiaki Elderly/Vulnerable initiative. Our leaders perform and have shared lunch with our Elderly community in school holidays. Another important teaching of looking after our elderly treasures.

Band nights once a week where leaders practice for upcoming community events e.g Open Mic Night this Friday 22nd September for Rangatahi 13+ to come showcase their talents. Our leaders will perform in-between acts in support of new rangatahi performances.

Fusion/Legion Boy/Girl support groups for our leaders where we discuss issues or celebrations, Supporting each other with great advice and direction.
How has the programme/initiative provided a great experience for youth? (200 words): We have seen our leaders flourish from shy and uncertain of life, to confident and knowing the direction as to where they want to go. Having a more understanding of who they are in our community, what they can contribute and receive in return, has helped open pathways and connect with the right people. Knowing they have a village behind them. For some of our leaders who are under the spectrum, mental health issues or trauma, feel included as well as spreading awareness to others, that they can make a difference too. Understanding Diversity and collaboration is key to success no matter where you're from or who you are. You have a purpose! Can analyze his/her own strengths and weaknesses. Set personal goals and have the self-esteem confidence and motivation and abilities to carry them out. All these community driven experiences will help provide the necessary tools needed for their kete.
What has the initiative/programme achieved in the past 12 months? (increase in member numbers, growth in participation, feedback from participants, survey data etc) (250 words): It has helped increase numbers in members (Volunteers, Leaders and Youth) Our community see the amazing mahi done by our leaders and how transparent we are in our daily delivery. Through our social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. Alot of our feedback is shared there as well as by word of mouth and support letters. We are a well-known organization in our community and surroundings. We've achieved so much for our local youth, whanau(s) and elderly/vulnerable community. Connecting/Collaborating with other organizations in the last 12 months has been a lot stronger, bringing in the wider community. Our community is getting more proactive in engaging Thanks to the amazing mahi of our Leaders. They are getting recognized for their mahi in our community and its time they got recognized through our Waikato Region.
Nominee district: Waikato District
Category: Outstanding By Youth For Youth Initiative