Case Study 1: Manaia
This youth development organisation is focused on employment outcomes. Yet in order to enable positive youth outcomes, the organisation had to first look at the development of the whole person. Manaia was unable to engage in study or hold down employment pre-intervention. Post-intervention, this story of development of Manaia’s identity and participation in activities outside of their comfort zone are pivotal to their success. Manaia is generally a lot happier, no longer needs as much mental health support, has more friends, is no longer reliant on the beneficiary system, now has a part-time job and is studying at university.
Case Study 2: Leon & Taylor
Young people and communities influence each other, and connected communities require positive youth development practices from many different people and organisations. There are many policies and frameworks that guide how young people are able to be active participants in their communities, and the three key approaches in this document are useful guides for what needs to be included. It is important to recognise the needs of the young person as separate from the needs of the group, and be able to understand what needs to drive the action or agenda.
Case Study 3: James
The opportunity James had to gain experiences with different groups in the community was important in building his own wellbeing as well as his own sense of contribution to society. This shows how outcomes for the individual and the community are hard to separate.
Case Study 4: Tessa
This study highlights the time it takes to build some relationships and then create opportunities for experiences where power is neutralised yet respected. This story also highlights the importance of being able to continue the practitioner/young person relationship post-intervention, and the impact on the practitioner’s workload.
Case Study 5: Emma
Projects that set out to achieve goals around ownership and empowerment should also consider how the project is (or can) contribute to the two key outcomes (developing the whole person, and developing connected communities). It is important to link the immediate need to the bigger picture.
