"To see a young man who is always truant not miss a day of the course is rewarding."
As of 2006, when Mr Poko and fellow Youth Quest Kapiti founder Paul Fong launched the initiative, more than 90 per cent of the 200-plus boys who had attended the course had not reoffended.
Only five had ended up back in jail, and 76 per cent were either back in school, in further education or employed. Recently, NCEA level one and two credits were incorporated into its programme, marked by local learning provider Capital Training.
A major component of the programme was a bush camp followed by classroom training, which covered issues including Managing Stress and Anger, Drug and Addiction Management, Personal Presentation and Communications, and Leadership and Team Building.
Mr Poko said the objective was to enhance positive self-image, healthy peer relationships, strong relationships with whanau, good decision making and leadership development.
"Community involvement and helping others is a huge part of our programme.
"In the past we've helped split wood for an elderly couple who raise funds for Alzheimers disease, cleaned graffiti, helped the local council and run free barbecues in primary schools.
"It's also about transferring those domestic tasks back into the home."
This year's course, which follows through with 12 months mentoring for the boys, had been a success because of what it deemed the Circle of Courage philosophy, designed to "build independence, mastery, generosity and belonging".
After this month's graduation there was a two-day trip to Rotorua for the boys, where they spent time at the Luge before travelling to Hawkes Bay's Youth Quest graduation ceremony, run by Lomi Schaumkel.
Mr Poko, who was looking for more volunteers to help strengthen the mentoring process, as well as community involvement opportunities, said applications were open for the next Development Programme, set for the end of May.
The most recent Top Student award went to Gerardus Berben, 17, the Peers Choice award to Phoenix Herewini, 16 and Most Improved to Jayden Campbell, 16.
"Many of the boys we've mentored are now working as tradesmen or have started their own families, including one boy I mentored for three years, who still pops into the office to say hi.
"This programme is the reason many of them have been motivated to turn their lives around."
For enquiries email terry@youthquest.co.nz or visit Youth Quest Kapiti online.
