Joanne Nowak
Senior Youth Worker
Senior Youth Worker
Kia ora,
My name is Joanne, and I’ve recently joined BGI as a Senior Youth Worker and coordinator of a new youth entrepreneurship programme.
My background is in supporting young people in mental health and addictions, where I focused on building trust, creating meaningful opportunities, and helping them develop confidence. Many faced challenges in securing or sustaining work or study, which highlighted the importance of connection and skill-building.
At BGI, my goal is to empower young people through our entrepreneurship programme, grounded in the Mana Taiohi youth development framework. The programme aims to enhance young people’s mana while developing skills in business literacy, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. We also connect participants with mentors and support them in applying for seed funding through the King’s Trust.
Ngā mihi nui,
Joanne