Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson founded FYD as the Project K Trust in 1995 with the aim of helping equip young people with skills to maximise their potential.
FYD has grown into a leading organisation in the field of youth development in New Zealand running proven programmes offering young people from age 5 to 18 the opportunity to build self-confidence, learn valuable life skills and realise their potential.
With New Zealand’s stunning outdoors and close knit communities as the backdrop, Foundation for Youth Development programmes build on young people’s talents through physical and mental challenges, developing core life skills.
Over 20 regional trusts offer Foundation for Youth Development programmes throughout New Zealand, helping over 18 000 young people every year to maximise their potential and contribute positively to society.
Kiwi Can – a life skills and values programme for 5 – 12 year olds
Kiwi Can promotes respect for other people and pride in the community. Students throughout a whole school attend weekly Kiwi Can lessons delivered by trained Kiwi Can Leaders, who are positive role models from the local community.
Themes include how to handle bullying, respect, the environment, resilience and integrity. Kiwi Can lessons help improve students’ confidence and ability to interact effectively with others, become creative problem-solvers and take responsibility for their own actions.
Stars – supporting Year 9 students make the transition into secondary school.
Stars is integrated into the school year and encourages the growth of strong school communities.
Five key stages are involved: a week long Adventure Camp, Community Project, Community Adventure, Careers Expo and Peer Mentoring with senior students. The programme encourages a strong school community by bringing junior and senior students together through weekly peer mentoring, activities and projects, with guidance and support from teachers.
Project K – helping young people grow confidence and realise their potential
Project K works with smaller groups of Year 10 students, who are selected through a survey which identifies a lack of self-confidence and other factors which are holding their development back.
The students spend three weeks completing a Wilderness Adventure that provides challenges and grows self-confidence, away from student’s normal environment. Next is a 10-day Community Challenge that helps transfer their new found confidence into day-to-day life and build knowledge of community resources. Finally, students take part in a year-long mentoring partnership with an adult that focuses on providing support and encouragement towards achieving their goals.
Male Youth New Direction (MYND) – helping young people to get back on track
MYND caters for males aged between 14-17 years who have come to the attention of the Police and Child Youth and Family Services, due to offending and anti-social behaviour. Therefore, the primary aim of the programme is to reduce re-offending and anti-social behaviour.
MYND comprises three separate phases with the first stage involving client referral and programme preparation. The second stage is an away phase which requires the participant to complete a 10 day controlled structured programme that includes a military-style camp with an emphasis on positive role modelling. The final phase involves reintegrating participants back into their home environments via a five month supervised and intensive follow up process which involves mentoring. This includes regular meetings between MYND personnel, Police and CYFS.