Embracing the International Women's Day challenge: Melody's story at Youth INtact Waikato

Youth INtact

provides alcohol and other drug (AOD) support and education in the community and at schools for rangatahi aged 12-19 across the Waikato region. The service is based on a model of care co-designed with rangatahi, and was launched in 2016.

We’d like to give a big shout out to our Cultural Support Worker Melody Nepe, who has been going the extra mile to support young women at Huntly College connect with their culture, building skills and resources for their future.

Read more about Melody’s work supporting young women to thrive, below…

Melody Nepe, Youth INtact Cultural Support Worker, joined us in early 2020 to provide cultural support and education for Odyssey kaimahi and rangatahi we support in Waikato.

In February last year, she worked with Huntly College staff and our kaumatua to establish Te Rangimarie Girls’ Reference Group.

Facilitated at Huntly College marae, the group uses principles and practices of Mana Wāhine to empower participants, supporting them to build positive relationships, strong value systems, and a sense of self-worth.

You can read more about Melody’s work in our 2020 Annual Review, or as a stand alone article.

Find out more about our Youth INtact service in Waikato, or our Stand Up! service in schools and Alt eds in Auckland.

At Odyssey, we are 100% committed to supporting young women stay in school and work towards the lives they want from a place of confidence and self-belief, and with support to reduce harms associated with alcohol or other drug use.

We wholeheartedly support this year’s International Women’s Day and its focus on challenging gender inequality and supporting women everywhere to flourish.

#IWD2021, #ChooseToChallenge