Slee said the youth YMCA works with have not always had the opportunity to explore the arts. “The kinaesthetic applications involved in both visual and performance arts cater for a diverse range of thinking and learning styles, beliefs and values . educators have noted an improvement in the confidence, problem-solving ability, concentration span and general level of happiness of participating students.” Slee said the artwork entries she had seen were “really creative pieces”.
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YMCA youth development facilitator Jo Skudder prepares for the Voice Youth Art Project exhibition at the Ara Institute of Canterbury Timaru campus cafeteria. The art categories cover creative writing and poetry, painting/mixed media, drawing/printmaking, sculpture/installation and film/photography design.
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YMCA South and Mid Canterbury Mates and Dates youth development facilitators, from left, Jo Skudder, Natasha Dominey, and back, youth and community manager Cath Slee.
What many young people see as normal in relationships is “not normal”, YMCA youth development facilitators say. According to ACC Sexual Assault Statistics of New Zealand, nationally one in five female high school students have experienced unwanted sexual contact or unwanted sexual acts, while one in 10 high school males have. Thirty-seven per cent describe it as severe, and fifty-seven per cent have not told anyone. For the past three years, three YMCA facilitators have delivered a Mates and Dates programme in South and Mid Canterbury, and North Otago, developed and funded by ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation).