Matthew’s Story
Embracing the Unfamiliar: Matthew’s Journey to Resilience and Strength
Like many teenagers, Matthew’s Project K journey began with a few obstacles. Balancing personal and family circumstances made it harder for him to find direction and connect with his mentor, but these early hurdles became an important part of his growth.
Initially, Matthew’s engagement in mentoring was limited, but after some early challenges, he formed a strong and meaningful connection with his second mentor, Tony. Matt had decided he would pull out of the programme, but Tony suggested meeting up a couple of times before he made up his mind. Their first outing was something at the bottom of every young person’s heart: food! They connected over delicious burgers. Through their rapport and trust, Matthew became more comfortable reaching out to Tony for advice and support. With Tony’s encouragement, Matthew began to set and achieve personal goals.
Part of the Foundation’s Project K programme encourages rangatahi to set goals and work with their mentor to achieve them. One of Matthew’s goals was to pass NCEA Level 1. Tony says that, “when we discussed it, he didn’t think he would pass, so together we simplified the goal to concentrate on his hardest subject, science. As a proud teenager, asking for help wasn’t easy, but Matthew understood that change required effort. When they asked his dean to move classes, he found out he was in the top-streamed class, so instead of changing classes, Matthew set another challenging goal to talk to his teacher for extra help.
With these little steps, Matthew began to turn his academic performance around. Not only did he achieve NCEA Level 1, something he once saw as unattainable, he got an academic award in English at prizegiving. His transformation was remarkable, from a boy with little motivation who faced obstacles to a determined and resilient young man with a clear sense of purpose and ambition.
Even as family health circumstances continued to present hurdles, Matthew persevered. He learned to communicate his emotions in healthier ways and remained committed to his growth. When setbacks occurred, Matthew would reflect on what went wrong, ask for advice, and try again. His willingness to face adversity and continue moving forward was a key part of his transformation.
Matthew’s growth didn’t go unnoticed. His teachers, mentor, family, and fellow students all recognised the positive changes in him. By the end of his Project K journey, Matthew had developed into a confident young man, proud of his achievements and with a strong belief in his future.
He didn’t go through the Project K programme passively; he actively engaged and took on leadership roles. When given the opportunity to speak at a mentor training, Matthew didn’t shy away. Instead, he approached it with confidence, knowing that his experiences could help others. He even stayed after the training to share his insights with new mentors, giving them a glimpse into the mindset of a teenager.
At Matthew’s Project K graduation, he proudly shared his story and the lessons he had learned along the way. Looking ahead, Matthew expressed interest in becoming a mentor himself, hoping to help another student in the same way he had been helped.
In 2019, Matthew received the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Project K Excellence Award, a moment that truly marked the pinnacle of his hard work and positive transformation. His mother, Rebecca, was overwhelmed with joy as she watched her son’s remarkable journey. Having been there every step of the way, she saw the obstacles he faced and the determination that led him to this achievement. She couldn’t help but reflect on how far he had come, making her incredibly proud of the young man he is.
Echoing Rebecca’s sentiments, Tony says, “I’m proud of Matt; he no longer thinks the world is against him. Since he left school has had success in every role he’s been in, making good decisions as he goes. Last year, he left a leadership position in Mitre 10 to move to an industry he was unfamiliar with, taking a significant pay cut so he could have the opportunity to study. Matt is on track to be the success he was always meant to be”.
Matthew’s journey with Project K has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a young man finding his footing to a determined, resilient, and confident individual. Matthew has shown that with the right support, guidance, and willingness to grow, incredible transformations are possible.
“Being on Project K taught me a lot of life lessons, from cooking on a gas cooker to making the right decisions in life’s journey. Project K not only taught me these things, but it taught me how to be a leader and what leadership really is. The greatest lesson I kept with me to this day is work ethic and dedication. While on our long stint throughout the Kaimanua Ranges there was many times where I wanted to throw in the towel and go back to the comfort of home, but the mentors we had taught us about resilience and persistency which personally made me not give up and prove to myself that I can over come any obstacle or challenge life may throw at me. To this day, I always remember what Project K has done for me in my growing years. Without the Project K experience, I would not be surprised if I were to this day still unmotivated and not have an ounce of work ethic. I’m still working full-time and consistently pursuing my hobby of cars because of this. Having cars as your hobby really pushes your mental state, especially when something is constantly going wrong with the vehicle. Knowing I can overcome obstacles and difficulties, I have been able to keep my passion alive while living such a busy lifestyle. Both my parents and I thank Project K for helping me overcome life’s challenges and carving out the man I am today.
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