Youngsters on road to brighter future

TEACHING TEENS: Local Lill Emery has been helping young people at Rotorua's Youth Justice Residence prepare to sit their learners' driver licences. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 250414BF13

Young people at Rotorua's Youth Justice Residence are making their teachers and families proud.

Since the start of this year, the Te Maioha o Parekarangi Youth Justice Residence has been running a programme to help young offenders learn about road rules and get their driver's licence.

Programme co-ordinator Kelly Mitchell said the programme had been hugely successful, with six young people passing their learners' driver licence tests so far.

One teenager, who can't be identified for legal reasons, said he felt incredibly proud to become the first person in his family to get his licence.

"When I told my family, they didn't believe me," he said.

"I didn't even believe it myself. I'm lost for words, I didn't think I'd ever get my licence, so I'm pretty proud of myself."

Another teenager said he was extremely grateful for the support of staff and their driving teacher Lill Emery, who has taken the time to teach them the road rules, the theory in the test and help them with their literacy.

"I'm just so thankful for Lill. She's given up her time to teach us, we couldn't have done it without her."

Mrs Emery said the teenagers had worked hard to get their licences, often studying for hours in their own time.

"I'm just so proud of my boys. That's what I call them, I take them under my wing like I do my own family, so they're my boys and they're miracles," she said.

Mrs Emery said it was important for the teenagers to work towards something and feel a sense of achievement when they reach their goal.

The programme would also help motivate them into employment when they leave the residence, she said.