Fund a full pathwayGive $15,000 to fully sponsor one young person’s 5-year support journey.
Empowering Our Future: Supporting Rural Youth
Too many rural young people are quietly slipping through the cracks! They are not always the ones in full crisis yet. But they are often disengaging from school, losing confidence, struggling with belonging, and drifting further away from a positive future. In rural communities, this is made worse by isolation, poverty, limited access to services, transport barriers, and fewer opportunities for support and development.
At Youth Encounter, we step in early. Through our Rural Youth Employability Pathway, we walk alongside vulnerable young people with long-term, relational, activity-based support that helps them grow in identity, purpose, hope, and resilience — the foundations they need to thrive in life, learning, and future employment.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their postcode. We are dedicated to a long-term, preventative initiative that supports rural youth through a vital five-year development pathway.
Our focus is on the "missing middle"—those young people who may not be in a visible crisis yet, but are quietly disengaging from school and community. By stepping in early, we provide the guidance needed to prevent them from falling through the cracks, helping them transition into confident, employed, and connected adults.
Why Our Rural Communities Need Us?
Living in rural areas brings unique beauty, but it also presents unique challenges. Isolation and a lack of local resources can impact a young person's wellbeing and future prospects.
Current trends across the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand highlight a growing need for dedicated support:
Rising Pressure: Psychological distress among young people has nearly doubled in recent years.
Barriers to Learning: Schools are seeing a sharp increase in truancy and developmental delays, with 1 in 4 students now requiring extra support.
The Connection Gap: 20% of our youth feel disconnected from healthy activities, a sense of belonging, or peer support.
Health Concerns: Issues such as vaping, digital overuse, and mental health challenges are rising sharply in our rural school zones.
Our Commitment
Within our local Western Bay of Plenty rural schools—roughly one-quarter of students are currently navigating these vulnerabilities. Whether they are facing developmental delays, marginalisation, or wellbeing challenges, we are here to bridge the gap.
Together, we aren't just supporting individuals; we are strengthening families and building the future leadership pipeline our entire region depends on.
Your gift can change a life trajectory!
This is not a quick fix. It is a long-term investment into one young person’s life.
Each young person receives an individual support plan that may include:
activity-based therapy
mentoring
counselling when needed
group programmes
leadership development
connection with school, whānau, and community
consistent guidance and encouragement over time
This pathway is designed to walk with a young person for up to five years, helping them move from vulnerability and disengagement toward confidence, contribution, and employability.
Ways to give
Fund one year of supportGive $3,000 to provide one year of consistent support for one young person.
Back a Young Person TogetherBe part of a group of donors who together fund a young person’s journey over time.
Be part of someone’s story
A young person’s future does not change because someone believed the problem was too big. It changes because someone chose to step in.
Your generosity can help a rural young person discover who they are, find direction, and build a better future.
Sponsor a young person today.
Contact us to find out more: info@youthencounter.co.nz or 07 218 2113
How to engage a young person!
Make a referral (see button below) - we will assess needs and suitability and contact you
We will create a client plan for you to authorise and complete a registration consent form
We will then engage with young person to deliver client plan