YWiSS

YWiSS – Youth Workers in Secondary Schools

Challenge 2000 has youth workers at Mana, Porirua, Naenae and Taita Colleges. The aim of this service is to improve engagement and achievement in mainstream education for year 9 and 10 students who are at risk of disengaging from their education journey and school community. Our youth workers are focused on working with students to improve motivation, provide encouragement, set realistic and achievable goals, support participation and learning within the school environment and improve their overall well-being.

Junior Seumanufagai

Junior Seumanufagai

Youth Worker
Fa’afetai Avei

Fa’afetai Avei

MASSISS/YWISS Team Leader
Adam Bain

Adam Bain

MASSISS Team Leader
Eric Sione

Eric Sione

Youth Worker | Youth Justice
Pip Dorn

Pip Dorn

Social Worker
Petrina Foaese

Petrina Foaese

Youth Worker
Melisha Isa’ako

Melisha Isa’ako

Social Worker

Junior Seumanufagai

Youth Worker

Talofa lava, my name is Junior Seumanufagai. I’m originally from the beautiful island of Samoa and raised in Wellington since I was 9 years old. I’m a proud Catholic old boy of Saint Patrick’s College Town. I started working at Challenge 2000 in 2014 after I completed the 2013 Gap Year. I am privileged to be a youth worker at Challenge and working along side an amazing group of people who have a passion for youth, families and communities. My role as a youth worker involves; one on one mentoring, helping out with camps, supporting youth groups/retreats and also missions. I enjoy my time working at Challenge because each day brings something new and exciting. Challenge 2000’s purpose is to walk alongside young people as they make positive choices in their lives and strive to achieve their full potential.

Fa’afetai Avei

MASSISS/YWISS Team Leader

Hi, I am the MASSiSS Social Worker in Hutt Valley Colleges. I am a Wellington girl and grew up in Porirua East. I started with Challenge 2000 in 2015 and was attracted to its strengths-based vibe, can-do attitude and was impressed by the many services it offers. My working experience has been working alongside people with disabilities, child and adolescent mental health, education and general health.

Adam Bain

MASSISS Team Leader

Eric Sione

Youth Worker | Youth Justice

Pip Dorn

Social Worker

Petrina Foaese

Youth Worker

Talofa lava. My name is Petrina Foaese, My family and I are from the beautiful island of Samoa. I have been at challenge for 2 years and am enjoying every bit of it . Challenge 2000 has many values that my Aiga and I hold close to our hearts.

I am privileged to work for such a giving and loving organisation. I have always wanted to give back to my community and I thank Challenge 2000 for helping me achieve this goal. I am currently working in the Hutt Valley colleges doing youth work with awesome rangatahi under the Youth Worker in secondary schools government support programme.

This is great as it gives me and insight i what is needed out in the community to develop and harness the strengths of young people. It gives me the opportunity to work alongside youth and listen to their beautiful stories. Another programme I am involved in is Mates and Dates in the whole Wellington Region.This programme focuses on young people developing healthy relationships and recognising when relationships are damaging and put the young people in danger.

I am also currently studying a BA in criminology and education at Victoria university. I believe this study is helping me understand more about the work we do and why we love it.

Everyday is different at Challenge2000 and I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing Aiga.

Melisha Isa’ako

Social Worker

Naenae College & Taita College 

Anh-Dao Pham

anhdao@challenge2000.org.nz

mana college & porirua college 

Jeff Reuelu-Smith

jeffreuelusmith@challenge2000.org.nz