SOWERS TRUST: Partner with Us: so that together, we can help more people like Alex

When Alex, 12, (not his real name) was referred to Sowers he was withdrawn at both home and school and having trouble sleeping. As a young man experiencing depression, he found it hard to make and keep friends and he lacked motivation which made it difficult to keep on task. Even when he went to stay at his dad’s house he would need to phone home a couple of times a night. Mum was experiencing both financial and emotional stress which made it difficult for her also.

This was what we knew about Alex from the referral, and what those around him saw. What became apparent however is that Alex had been hearing his mum being beaten by her boyfriend for more than a year while he was lying in bed. He felt trapped, like there was nothing he could do, and guilty because he wasn’t able to stop it. He felt powerless.

With the help of a youth worker, Alex was able to work through these feelings and also see the things he did do. To see that he had kept himself and his brothers’ safe, helped keep the house tidy to avoid mum getting in trouble and then helped with the packing when it was time to leave.

Alex is now in a better space. He feels safe, is confident his mum is safe and he has begun to make friends, have fun and enjoy life. Alex has renewed confidence and has allowed himself to dream again.

At Sowers we are passionate about seeing people reach their potential…….to see lives transformed. We believe that everyone deserves to have the same opportunities and we strive on a daily basis to advocate for families and young people so that they can build on their strengths, create and make appropriate boundaries and choices. To help people like Alex move towards their goals and dreams.

We do this through building therapeutic relationships that enable us to have deep conversations that lead to change; through helping people to recognize that they matter and have value; by enabling them to believe in and hope for a future full of promise.

Our team of staff and volunteers mentor young people and adults by meeting them where they are at and walking alongside them as they journey. We run programmes like Triple P Parenting, anger management, anti-bullying, life skills and self-esteem amongst others within our local community and we need your support to continue what we do.

Partner with us so that together we can help more people like Alex by donating what you can. We aim to raise $15,000 to go towards our programmes and can only do this with your help. Check out website: www.sowers.co.nz or contact us for more information. But if you can please

DONATE NOW.