Last Tuesday we were given an outline of the Y-Drive Project about to be rolled out by YMCA South Canterbury. Keith Shaw, General Manager of YMCA SC thanked the Rotary Club of Timaru and the Moyes Trust for the $30,000.00 grant to support this project and to enable it to become operable as soon as possible.
Y-Drive is a youth development organisation that invests heavily in the next generation. The costs associated with obtaining a driving licence are very high – Learner’s $340.00; Restricted with Defensive driving $540.00; Full $400.00. For the unemployed, the at-risk youth and adults, migrants and those in the lower socio-economic level these costs become prohibitive. At presen,t the YMCA is equipped with 1 manual car, 2 dual control cars, a truck and 2 qualified Driving Instructors.
The aim of the Y-Drive is to provide safe, quality driving instruction for the community [they budget on 5 lessons per applicant] from the first lesson to taking them into the AA. This licence will open doors for employment, provide social connectivity and improve the wellbeing of the licensees. YMCA is also using their connections with Family Works, PPSC migrant group, Arowhenua Whanau Group to receive referrals for this programme.
Mountainview High School is the first pilot school in our region to pilot the Driving Licence theory classes and Keith is hoping that this will be rolled out across all schools.
Keith said that Aoraki Development is on board with “My Next Move” – the jobs for those with a new licence.
All the best to the Y-Drive project, another wonderful innovation for the Timaru District.
I thank all the Chairs for getting their annual reports to Lionel on the 25 May. It is appreciated and helps to keep everything flowing for the end of year circulation of reports and minutes of last year.
Enjoy your Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Stay safe.
Bev.