NEW ZEALAND Young Parents Programme New Zealand YMCA's Young Parents' Programme is a 12-month programme first established in 2001. The goal of the programme is to give the young parents an opportunity and confidence to find meaningful work and careers, or to access further training or education. It aims to break the cycle of educational under achievement while also supporting individual social development. This is in response to the situation faced by many young mothers. Young women, especially those under 18 years old, who have unplanned children are usually disadvantaged in the following ways: • They usually drop out of school and for most; this is the end of their education. • They are often ill equipped to cope with being a parent while still making the transition to adulthood. • Many are not physically active. • Few have developed sufficient marketable skills. • Many remain welfare beneficiaries (20 years on welfare is the norm). The primary components of the programme are: • Removal of barriers • Learning good parenting skills • Learning appropriate domestic skills • Learning the support networks that are available • Establishing a learning plan, facilitating enrolments • Developing further academic qualifications • Establishing pathways to work experience, training or employment. The programme has seen very positive outcomes: • Around 90% of participants either in further education or training, or in employment. • Cost per student approximately $10,000 per year, partially funded by government. • YMCA currently has two programmes running as pilot schemes and hopes to convert this into a national series of YMCA programmes if funding can be found Contacts Mr Gery Gibbs, Executive Director Wanganui YMCA |
|
QUICK LINKS |
|
|