The team behind Do Good Feel Good (DGFG) presented at this year’s INVOLVE 2020 online event during Auckland’s Alert Level 3 lockdown, speaking to leaders, practitioners and change makers in youth development.
INVOLVE is the largest national conference in the youth sector’s calendar, held every two years. Due to covid, the conference was held online this year.
Do Good Feel Good is a youth movement for young people aged 17-24-years-old leading positive change in South Auckland. The movement is supported by The Cause Collective, a social change organisation based in Manukau.
Youth Systems Innovator Chillion Sanerivi says the invitation to present at the digital event was a big win for DGFG, watch the video reel here.
“To be able to promote DGFG, The Cause Collective and the work we do in systems change to people of influence is big,” says Sanerivi.
“We all know social issues are very complex in South Auckland and the forum was a chance to show a different, innovative way to work with rangatahi (young people),” he adds.
Since its inception in 2015, DGFG has attracted over 125 active members and expanded to 10 SKWADS, an acronym for ‘Serving Kindness with Acts and Deeds’.
Original member Mele Tapueluelu says the potential of DGFG’s youth movement is just getting started.
“We’re going to continue to grow, our leaders are developing skills and taking it back to their communities. We are seeing ourselves as the solution, not the problem,” says Tapueluelu.
Youth Mobiliser Elizabeth Filimoemaka highlighted the work of DGFG’s Youth Voice SKWAD, who are campaigning for young people to vote in the upcoming October 17 elections.
“Youth Voice has been running activations within DGFG, focusing on educating and empowering our members to vote and use their voice,” says Filimoemaka.
“Young people are deciding what’s important and are mobilising change for them, by them and that’s what makes us different,” she says.
Te Ana Fowell from INVOLVE says DGFG is a prime example of what youth participation looks like.
“Out of the four breakouts, DGFG’s was by far my favourite. The flavour, originality of the mahi that was presented was fresh,” says Te Ana. “Thank you DGFG for adding so much gold to the youth sector and INVOLVE. I hope to see this movement grow throughout our nation,” she adds.
INVOLVE 2020 was run by Ara Taiohi, the NZ Youth Mentoring Network, SYHPANZ, and The Collaborative Trust.
For more information on Do Good Feel Good contact:
Chillion Sanerivi
Youth Systems Innovator
