YOUTHGROW is part of Family Works in Dunedin. They provide an environment where young people grow and learn, transitioning towards the next step on their journey.
YouthGrow is based in a working nursery and the programme is all about impacting youth positively. Over 200 young people have participated in YouthGrow since it opened in 2001.
YouthGrow works with young people with the aim of developing the whole person, providing opportunities to strengthen education, life skills, health and wellbeing, and vocation-focused learning.
YouthGrow is not just about learning a few gardening skills. Gardening is just one tool that helps with learning. Many of the students are working towards NCEA levels 1 and 2, or gaining transferable employment and life skills.
Talking with students, you get an appreciation for the real sense of achievement that comes from being part of YouthGrow.
Friday lunch is always a learning opportunity for the YouthGrow students.
‘‘One of the highlights is cooking lunch each Friday. We do this in groups, and we have to plan our meal, go shopping for the ingredients and then cook it in time for lunch,’’ explains Hannah, who was a YouthGrow student last year.
YouthGrow wants young people to become confident and ready to take the next step in their journey.
If you would like to support the work that Family Works does with young people at YouthGrow, visit the nursery at Norwood St, or see them at the Otago Farmers Market each Saturday morning over summer.
