A springboard for positive futures

The organisation was started in 2002 by Gary Diprose, an ex-dairy farmer, to help young people in Mahurangi who had been removed from school and were getting into trouble.

As deeper issues emerged such as mental health, drugs, unemployment and offending, the gaps and needs in the community became more evident, Springboard General Manager, Dan Gray says.

More than 20 staff (pictured above) are now delivering social services for young people aged 8 to 24 on the North Shore of Auckland and as far north as Wellsford.

“Regardless of poverty, privilege or ethnic background, young people experience trauma and challenges due to unmet foundational needs and systemic failures,” Dan says.

“Our services have been created to help fill some of those gaps.”

Springboard's Go 180 program has helped to significantly reduce the youth crime rate in North Rodney.

Young people referred by Oranga Tamariki and Police are mentored by positive role models and gain practical work experience. It's also an opportunity for them to complete community service hours.

“We try to show them how to become socially connected and be part of a community," Dan says. 

“This helps to give them a sense of pride and responsibility.”

Belonging is one of Springboard's core values and young people will always be part of the family, he says.

Through a one-on-one mentoring program, rangatahi are paired with mentors and they spend time together every week to form long-lasting positive relationships.

Springboard also offers alternative education and helps young people and their families access other social services such as financial and housing support.

They are launching a driving academy soon as licensing is a common barrier to employment for many young people, Dan says. 

“We believe all young people have hope for their future and we want to help them find their purpose,” Dan says.

“It blows our mind to see the changes they can make.”

Heart at work
Learn more about their services

Springboard website