Helping teenagers in troubled times

Aileen Davidson, Heather Henare, Megs Russell and Sally Rison hope shoppers will support the Skylight Travellers programme. Photo / Ben Fraser

Change in a young life can be a challenge, but teens in Rotorua are being given the skills to navigate that journey thanks to a partnership between The Warehouse and an organisation called Skylight.

Shoppers can help more teens build resilience by paying an extra dollar in store this week. The store is hoping to raise $4000 by Saturday and beat nine other Warehouse branches in the process.

Skylight's course, Travellers, helps teens in need of extra support, whether they are coping with grief, family break-up, trauma or another challenge.

"It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the child," said Travellers national co-ordinator Aileen Davidson.

"We're just giving them extra skills to make them more resilient and to teach them that it's okay to ask for help. We don't want people to think they have to be staunch."

She said four schools in the Rotorua district used the programme and two others were joining.

It is for Year 9 students and Ms Davidson said as the students went through it, there was a culture of change within the school: "Every family faces a challenge, this is about saying it's normal and teaching our children some other skills."

Last year Skylight and 10 Warehouse stores partnered to offer the Travellers programme to schools in the region and launched the add-a-dollar campaign.

"We are so delighted to have the support from The Warehouse, as it means we can offer the programme to more schools in this region," said Skylight chief executive Heather Henare.

Warehouse Rotorua store manager Sally Rison said the aim was to beat the $4000 target: "It's great that we are able to make a difference that's really important in our community."

Schools keen to take part can call Skylight at 0800 299 100 or visit www.skylight.org.nz.