Youth The Focus For Two New Hurunui Council Employees

The Hurunui District Council has two new additions to its Community Team, with Elise Johns taking on the role of the District’s Youth Worker and Krystal Jennings taking on the role as the new Youth Council Facilitator.

In her role as the council’s Youth Worker, Elise’s work week can involve anything from visiting schools to check in on our district’s young people, to running and attending community events. Her main role is to provide a warm friendly face and listening ear for the Hurunui’s young people.

Elise says before starting in the role she was really excited to get off her farm and start engaging with residents to create positive change within the community, and the role is living up to her expectations.

“I’m really enjoying connecting with the young people of the Hurunui to create a really positive vibe in the schools and community by helping them make good decisions, and introduce them to activities and ideas that they may never have been exposed to before,” she says.

“I look forward to meeting more and more of our youth and pushing them out of their comfort zone over the coming months.”

As the Youth Council Facilitator, Krystal is ensuring Youth Council members feel supported and have the information, knowledge and confidence to run their projects. Her weeks involve organising the leadership program for the Hurunui’s young leaders, facilitating Youth Council meetings and identifying youth development opportunities within the District.

“My favourite part of the role is connecting with our young leaders in a way that makes them feel empowered to make a positive contribution, and embrace their leadership roles in our community,” says Krystal.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of a forward-thinking district council that can see the benefits of creating a pathway for young people to have their say on local government issues and have a voice on issues important to them.”

Elise’s role as Youth Worker is funded by grants from the Department of Internal Affairs’ Hurunui, Kaikoura, and Marlborough Earthquake Relief Fund, and Krystal’s Youth Council Facilitator role is funded internally by the council.

ENDS

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