PYDT serves the communities of NW Otautahi with 148 community groups and programmes operating, with 47,455 being impacted across the board. Some young people might attend more than one programme.
Our centre (LOOP) is functional and funky and maintained by Te Papanui Trust  and volunteers.
Our purpose is to empower young people to reach their full potential.
Currently we have a staff of 12 (including 2 interns) and 54 volunteers are involved.
9 primary schools, 2 Intermediate schools & Papanui High School engage youth workers who make a difference.
Youth Leadership Development programmes have been very effective and this term Year 5, Year 7 & Year 9 students have been trained to be leaders to ultimately give back to their communities.
To date 163 have been trained through 8 Leadership Training courses. Also 121 have been trained through a Leadership Symposium.
Another goal has been to build enduring relationships with Whanau and their wider communities, bringing positive change and seeking to break negative behaviour cycles. Our youth workers are in 11 schools.
This has involved 13 Fun Weeks, a camp,15 Kids vs Cops basketball games (340 annually) and 4 specialist mentoring contracts happen for socially and behaviourally challenged individuals.( IWS).
Creating clear creative pathways provides opportunities for young people to be involved in affordable audio, lighting and live sound activities. 3 weekly programmes, 8 performances with 840 attending the band nights during the year.
Maintaining nurturing communities enables young people to be engaged and give confidence to parents to ensure their children and teenagers are safe.
This year 10 Holiday (OSCAR) programmes have been full and very popular.
Disability work has meant a creative, social experience for young people and respite for whanau, as few opportunities like this are available. (41 programmes)
Two of our techno staff run a large number of discos in various schools.
Operating a space in the Northlands Mall with our Safer Community initiative has seen a lot of anti-social behaviour and violence curtailed.

Challenges regarding funding are constant, especially over the last 2 years.
Unemployed teens are a challenge as are those with low self-esteem, being socially isolated and struggling with mental health. Parents using drugs , violent homes fuelled by alcohol & substance abuse has increased and impacts our tamariki & rangitahi.
Lack of alternative youth housing is a problem. Vaping is a massive issue.
Concern for disabled youth who are often victims. There is not enough funding for the interventions needed.

One specific moment seeing  Jesus at work was at our Combined Church Service at Papanui Baptist Church this year with a Mum and her at-risk son (with tears ) sharing  a moment together( Mongrel Mob background). This had not happened before, so a real God moment.
Without the Monday prayer team, many miracles seen regarding finance and breakthrough in shattered lives, would not happen. Praise God He is the victor!

Carol Guise ( Chairperson PYDT)