The Village at Carterton Baptist Church

The Village at Carterton Baptist Church is part of a venture to help ‘at risk’ youth.

Cabins will be built to house 5 young people who are unable to live with their families and are struggling to adjust to the norms of local society and may be ‘at risk’ in many different ways. Most will have been referred from agencies and there is a waiting list of over 40 already so the need for getting this project up and running is great..

The young people will be encouraged to be in training, employed by supportive businesses or volunteering. They will be working, studying or volunteering whilst learning some valuable life skills and attitudes.

The hope is that by being able to experience living in a safe, caring environment at a crucial time of their lives, this will set them on a positive course as they move into adulthood. These young people may not have had much opportunity to experience being loved up to this point in their lives.

The goal is to build their self-esteem and grow their problem solving skills along with developing that sense of responsibility that comes from living in a caring community.

The Cabins are being built by a company in Napier called 'The Village Cottage' and the project is being assisted by the Dugdale Charitable Trust and the local Rotary Club but we need more donations to help fund all the Cabins.

The Village is a 3 year programme.

Year 1 (Baggage Handling)

The young people will spend the first 12 months with a focus on ‘Baggage Handling’. This is a mentoring program focused on working through all the damage they have been through. This is the most important beginning of their journey. Issues of alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence or sexual abuse may arise and need to be handled with the help of outside agencies.

Year 2 (Setting a Destination)

The young people will be looking at “What does moving forward look like for them?” This is the time where short, mid and long term goals are discussed. Each young person will go through another mentoring program to produce an ‘Individual Life Plan’. These plans will be developed with the help of a life coach. During this time all residents will either be involved in education, courses or employment. Residents in this year will also be involved in community initiatives in a way of contributing and giving back.

Year 3 (Departure Lounge)

They will be prepared for departure from the program during this year having gained new skills and a more positive attitude to life. This will firm up their goals and start to take steps towards full independence and self-determination. There will also be an emphasis on whanau interaction with whanau members where they feel safe with to share their victories as part of this initiative.

Wayne and Jennifer Poutoa are both pastors of Carterton Baptist Church and will be leading this project community vision.

Their backgrounds are in Community Development and working with Youth at Risk. Before coming to live in Carterton 3 years ago they were in Porirua where they created a range of Community initiatives focused on the well-being of community.

They have received several awards for recognition of our work as a recipient of The Vodafone World of Difference Award, Kiwi Bank Local Heroes Award including the Porirua Rotary Club Award in recognition for services to community.