Mia is a young girl who, like so many, struggled with the weight of her circumstances. Life at home wasn’t easy—there was a lot of turmoil, neglect, and challenges that left her feeling emotionally raw. School was tough, too. Mia experienced challenges with her emotions, and when it all became too much, she turned to unhealthy habits, including substance use, just to cope. Her relationships with her family were strained, and she spent most of her time living apart from them due to unfortunate circumstances.
Mia’s future felt uncertain, and it was hard for her to see a way out of the cycle she was caught in until she was engaged with Youth Encounter.
Through Youth Encounter’s mentoring program, Mia’s journey began to change. For 18 months, she worked closely with her mentor, engaging in values-based learning and setting goals for her life. The Live Life Wide Open Kaupapa framework provided Mia with a clear path to explore her identity, build resilience, and find hope. With each session, she was reminded that her past didn’t define her potential. Her mentor helped her see that despite the struggles she had faced, there was a future waiting for her—a future where she could thrive.
Slowly but surely, Mia began to transform. She started to discover her own identity and purpose, finding strength she didn’t know she had. Her unhealthy addictions became a thing of the past as she made the decision to get sober, staying clean for months and inspiring her friends and family to follow her lead. Mia’s school attendance improved dramatically, and she threw herself into her studies, determined to get good grades and succeed.
She also reconnected with her passion for rugby, dedicating herself to her team and her physical health, growing stronger both physically and mentally. Even more incredibly, Mia’s family relationships began to heal. She brought her whānau to church, where they found positive influences and began building a healthier life together.
Mia is now living full-time with her family, no longer bound by the past that once held her back. She’s developed an incredible self-awareness—she understands her emotions, recognizes the impact of her decisions, and knows what she can control. And now, she’s dreaming of a new step in her faith journey: getting baptized.
Mia’s story is a testament to the power of Youth Encounter’s mentoring program. It’s not just about providing support—it’s about empowering young people to see their own potential, even in the darkest times, and helping them build a future they can be proud of. Mia’s life is a living example of what happens when you Live Life Wide Open. Today, she’s not only thriving—she’s leading others, inspiring her whānau and friends to live life wide open, just like her.