Kitchener Park project helps unemployed
BY JESSICA SUTTON
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Feilding's Kitchener Park is creating employment for youth workers.
As part of a nationwide community project created by Work and Income, the Community Max programme provides a six-month wage subsidy for young people who are out of work.
Community Max supports projects that benefit the community or the environment, while creating employment.
It pays workers the minimum hourly wage of $12.50 for 30 hours a week, but Michael Morris said it was still more than he would be getting otherwise.
The 23-year-old former bricklayer is thankful for the chance to be part of the community project at Kitchener Park.
"I was previously on the unemployment benefit and supporting my partner and 11-month-old daughter. Now I've got a job."
Before he was offered a job through the scheme, Mr Morris had served 325 hours'community service at the park.
There are now eight men working at the park with project supervisor Gavin Scott.
"Flooding in 2004 stuffed the place up ... now we are finally starting to restore the forest back to its original state.
"It's really nice to see Michael enjoying what he is doing and the amount he is learning," Mr Scott said.
There were 80 people in Feilding alone who were ready to take Mr Morris's position on the project should he play up.
"There are people who aren't interested in being here, but all they need is some boundary and structure in their life," Mr Scott said.
The project at the park has been going for the last three months, and Mr Scott said it has another 15 months left.
"Although the boys can only work here for six months at a time, we are going to get another two more groups through before the major part of the work will be finished."
Mr Morris was so appreciative for the opportunity that he wrote letters to Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie and Justice Minister and Rangitikei MP Simon Power expressing his gratitude.
"I wouldn't be where I am now if not for everyone involved in the Community Max project," he told them.
"I hope that other people who join in the future appreciate it as much as I do."
Mr Morris hopes to find work in landscaping when his time with the project is finished in March 2010.
- © Fairfax NZ News
