Youths wanting to make a difference were celebrated in Balclutha this week, with the conclusion of the Mad programme.
About 50 people gathered at the Rosebank Lodge in Balclutha on Monday night to congratulate the 23 young Clutha people who took part in Making A Difference (Mad).
This year, the programme worked with two groups on two different schemes: Clutha Challenge and a leadership course.
Clutha district youth co-ordinator Daniel Maze, who runs the Mad programme, said the project was in its fifth year, and remained popular with young people between the ages of 12 and 24. This year, 21 applied for 12 spaces on the Clutha Challenge, resulting in a larger intake of 14.
The Clutha Challenge saw the group of 14 take part in a 12-week programme designed to increase work skills, career opportunities and community involvement, through boosting fitness and self-esteem and changing attitudes.
To thank the district for funding the programme, each year a different community challenge is completed. This year, the group spent hours collecting more than 50 bags of rubbish from the side of the road.
Earlier this year, a group of nine Catlins teenagers created a youth centre in Owaka as part of the leadership programme.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan thanked Daniel Maze and those involved with Mad and said it was an important initiative within the district.
"You're delivering a very special programme which is one of the cornerstones of the district."
- Report and photo by Helena de Reus
