Centre gets first paid youth workers

Paid youth workers have been employed at the Ranfurly Youth Centre for the first time since it was officially opened almost two years ago.

The centre sprang from a series of Victim Support meetings following several tragic events involving young people in the Maniototo during 2007.

At its official opening in April 2008, volunteers expressed a desire for youth workers to be employed, for the benefit of the Maniototo's almost 100 youth over the age of 12.

Financial support from Project Maniototo saw Dave Cromb (33) and Renee Weir (24) start as the centre's permanent youth workers last week.

Mr Cromb and Mrs Weir, of Ranfurly and Waipiata respectively, work on alternate Fridays from 7.30pm to 10.30pm while the centre operates as a drop-in facility for youth aged 12 and over.

About 40 youth attend each week, although Mr Cromb hopes to establish a transport service which would enable others to be involved.

"A lot of the kids here live on farms and can't make it into Ranfurly and back, so I'm hoping we can sort out a minivan or some transport to pick them up and bring them into the centre," he said.

Mr Cromb was born and raised in Ranfurly, and left.

He returned with his young family.

He and his wife, Shar, have three children, Jayden (14), DJ (12), and Aroha (8).

Mr Cromb drew on his past to help youth and show them they were able to steer a positive course through life no matter how difficult.

"I did some bad things in my youth and it took me a while but I changed my life around.

"Being a youth worker is all about the kids having someone to talk to, and while we don't want to push them or get in their faces, we are there for them if they need anything.

"For me, it's also about giving something back to the community," he said.

Both Mr Cromb and Mrs Weir plan to offer their experience in different areas to youth at the centre, teaching them skills, ranging from karate to hairdressing.

"There's no set criteria the kids have to stick to, but if they are interested, they can learn some of the skills we have, in an informal way," Mr Cromb said.

Mrs Weir is a qualified teacher and hairdresser.

Originally from Oamaru, she recently married Gerard Weir and the couple live on a family farm between Waipiata and Patearoa.

Mrs Weir said she wanted young people to be able to relax at the centre without pressure from parents.

"It's just somewhere they can chill out, be teenagers, and be themselves," she said.

- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz