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

Fa’afetai Avei

Adam Bain

Eric Sione

Pip Dorn

Petrina Foaese

Melisha Isa’ako

Junior Seumanufagai
Youth Worker

Fa’afetai Avei
MASSISS/YWISS Team Leader

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.
Naenae College & Taita College
Anh-Dao Pham
anhdao@challenge2000.org.nz
mana college & porirua college
Jeff Reuelu-Smith
jeffreuelusmith@challenge2000.org.nz