History

PACT was formed in 1995 to work in schools with tamariki and rangatahi, and in the community alongside their whānau, initially in the Papatoetoe area. It was established as a wraparound service, recognising that supporting a child or young person well often creates an opportunity to support the wider whānau too.

Early services included parenting programmes, counselling support, holiday programmes, a drop-in café for mums of pre-schoolers, and anger management programmes. While the work has changed over time in response to the needs of the community, PACT has remained grounded in the same commitment to relationship, care, and hope.

School-based support has always been central to PACT’s work. Over the past 31 years, PACT has been trusted to respond to the needs of different schools and their students through one-to-one mentoring, small groups, classroom-based support, sports activities, drug and relationship education programmes, and many other services that strengthen wellbeing, belonging, and engagement.

 

The DNA of the organisation has always been based on the Christian faith, but our services are available to youth (and their families) of any religion or ethnicity. For many PACT has long been more than just a local community organisation but a place where whanaungatanga (a family-like connection) is created.