Living Life Wide Open: The Lasting Impact of Youth Encounter
A story of transformation: Vince
In 2018, a young man referred to Youth Encounter was disengaged from school, involved in crime, and caught between cultural expectations and a new environment. Unsure where he belonged, his first step into Youth Encounter came through dirt-bike group therapy.
From there, his journey deepened through residential camps, mentoring, and more than 50 hours of clinical counselling. Over time, he began rebuilding his confidence, resilience, and sense of identity. Eight years on, Vince now lives in Brisbane, runs his own startup employing ten people, and mentors others. His story is one of many that show how the right support, at the right time, can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Why Youth Encounter exists
For more than 15 years, Youth Encounter has supported young people across Aotearoa New Zealand to find purpose, build resilience, and grow in confidence. Founded in 2009, what began as dirt-bike camps has grown into a charitable trust offering counselling, mentoring, group therapy, leadership development, and residential camps.
Many young people experience disconnection, hopelessness, or feel trapped by their circumstances. Youth Encounter meets rangatahi “where they are”, offering activity-based, therapeutic programmes that guide youth from insecurity to identity, despair to hope, and disconnection to belonging.
Measurable impact for young people
Since 2016, Youth Encounter has worked with more than 1,400 young people. Around 40% have received intensive one-on-one counselling or mentoring. Over the past eight years:
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89% of participants reported improved self-worth and identity
- 84% felt more motivated and forward-looking
A 2025 follow-up survey, conducted three years after participation, found long-term ripple effects:
- Confidence increased by 150%
- 67% had taken on leadership roles in work or their community
- 61% were mentoring or supporting other young people
- 48% volunteered regularly
- 67% reported a meaningful spiritual journey
- 67% were employed, 17% were studying, and only 13% were not in employment or education, significantly lower than the national average
For some families, philanthropy becomes a way to honour a loved one while helping others find hope.
In 2025, Youth Encounter received $20,000 in funding from the Roy & Mary McGowan Fund and the Joshua Tingey Memorial Fund, administered by Acorn Foundation. This support helps ensure rangatahi continue to receive the guidance, care, and opportunity they need to change the course of their lives.
Photo: Josh Tingey
Theresa Tingey, Joshua’s mother, says Youth Encounter was a natural fit for her son’s memorial fund.
“Youth Encounter seemed an obvious fit for Joshua’s fund to support. Since childhood, along with his brothers, motocross was a big part of our home. Mary Perkins, ‘Scary Mary’, now Wanhill, was much revered in our house of motocross-riding boys. Josh’s path crossed with Mary and Joel at one of Youth Encounter’s fundraising rides, and their dedication to making life better for troubled youth through motorbikes really resonated with us.
When Josh passed away in 2018, we were devastated. But we were determined to salvage some good out of something so bad. We established a memorial fund with Acorn Foundation, seed-funded by donations from his university surveying mates. That fund has now become Joshua’s legacy.
As Joshua had supported and influenced so many in his 28 years, and with his love of motocross, it was a no-brainer to support Youth Encounter. Mary, Joel, and their team’s passion, professionalism, and mentorship are outstanding."
One of Joshua’s brothers said, ‘Imagine if Josh’s fund changes someone’s life.’ There is no greater way to honour his memory. We are proud to support Youth Encounter.”
Support through Acorn Foundation
Since 2014, Acorn Foundation donors have helped Youth Encounter expand its reach and deepen its impact. Through this collective generosity, more young people are being supported to move from struggle towards belonging, hope, and thriving futures.
Get in touch if you would like to support Youth Encounters through Acorn