Rotorua Trust’s support has been vital in the Rotorua Community Youth Centre’s development of new facilities and innovative programmes, says Laurie Durand, the centre’s manager.
The trust contributed $20,000 towards youth development activities in the refurbished centre IN the former YWCA hostel at 6 Te Ngae Road. “The Youth Centre in its new location is about offering a range of programmes and services – such as health services, after school programmes, health journeys and a youth entertainment stage,” Laurie says.
“So it is all about programmes, with young people coming to the centre because there’s an activity or a learning opportunity, or something to engage them in a fun but healthy and learning programme.”
The after-school activities and the health journeys programmes will operate in conjunction with the centre’s existing health service, which operates as “Rotovegas Health”.
“We are now going to do a youth work approach alongside that, so young people can go on a healthy lifestyles journey, where they are setting goals and responding to health issues.”
For example, this might be a weight loss journey based around the popular TV programme “The Greatest Loser”, or journeys teaching life skills so young people can have positive attitudes about themselves.
“The other initiative is the opening up of the cafeteria into a new entertainment stage giving youth the opportunity to perform with the obvious talent available among Rotorua’s young people,”
Laurie says. Laurie has been manager for the past six months but has been involved in youth work in Rotorua for the past 25 years.
The centre’s board of trustees has 12 members, including Dr Tania Pinfold, who heads the health service. Staff members include 20 full-time and part-time workers and volunteers. The centre is also available to the public, with current users including salsa and belly dancing groups, a church group, and other groups providing training.
For more information, contact Laurie Durand at laurie.durand@xtra.co.nz, phone 07-343 1012 mobile 02108256179