A teenager who was given an Asbo when she was 13 has been honoured for turning her back on a life of crime and disorder.
Zara Fredericks had a tough upbringing, surrounded by drugs and law-breaking. As a 13-year-old she received an Asbo for bullying a classmate at Whalley Range High. Magistrates heard she had victimised another girl for more than three years.
But Zara, now 19, has transformed her life and wants to become a counsellor helping others. She is already working in the community thanks to schemes The nXt Generation and Support 4 Progress, which gives young people training opportunities to escape gang life.
Zara, from Fallowfield, has enrolled on a counselling course at Support 4 Progress and was given the Turn Around prize at the Outstanding Social Behaviour Awards (OSBAs) at the end of Peace Week, organised to promote harmony in the city.
She said: “The nXt Generation and Support 4 Progress have given me strength, empowerment and the faith to believe I could change my life.
“They have supported me. I’m now living life the right way. I want to give other young people the help and support I’ve had.”
Seven inspirational community heroes were honoured.
‘Punk monk’ the Rev David Gray, 57, a former friar at Gorton monastery, was given the Peace Activist award for his inter-faith community work, including being a police adviser, a co-ordinator of gun and gang awareness and a member of Faith Network 4 Manchester.
Natalie Teniola, from Hulme, won the Community Cohesion Award for her School Showcase work, which brings artists into the classroom to teach children art, poetry, rap and dance.
Bradley Lincoln, 40, from Hulme, was named Positive Role Model after he set up The Multiple Heritage Project, which deals with issues surrounding mixed-race identity.
Karen Andrew, 48, from Old Trafford, won the Manchester Peace Award for her work,
including organising Party in the Park and working for Faith4Change, which unites faiths on environmental issues.
Akeim Mundell, 15, from Moss Side, was given the Young Persons Award for his work with the Reclaim Project, which mentors young people.
The OSBA special award went to Helen Gatenby, who set up the M13 Project in 1995 to support young people in Longsight and Ardwick.
Peace Week is organised by Carisma and sponsored by M.E.N. Media.
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Croc, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 10:03)
Phil Oldham (15/03/2010 at 10:31)
Where's my award for never getting in trouble with the law and never having an asbo?
Careless Whisper (15/03/2010 at 10:59)
jordy, Middleton (15/03/2010 at 11:05)
WINDY MILLER, CAMBERWICK GREEN (15/03/2010 at 11:29)
PAH , Manchester (15/03/2010 at 12:40)
citycentre, manchester (15/03/2010 at 12:53)
You should consider Luke 15:7
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (15/03/2010 at 13:18)
PAH, I say good on her for turning her life round but it's a bit of a mickey take when most people keep their noses clean throughout their lives and get no reward for it.
PAH , Manchester (15/03/2010 at 13:39)
15/03/2010 at 13:18
I agree with you entirely. I think its easy for a dis-functional kid to fall back into a bad lifestyle so maybe this will work.. Its easier for me to stay law abiding (as I always have been) than it is for some of these kids to stay straight.....I think its a balance. Don't get me wrong it makes me angry what they get away with. I'm just saying there is two sides. I'd rather this kid get an award for coming good than myself get one for being law abiding.
proudtobeblue (15/03/2010 at 15:11)
WINDY MILLER, CAMBERWICK GREEN (15/03/2010 at 15:27)
15/03/2010 at 12:53........... In direct opposition to your Luke 15:7, i would say if the 99 righteous you mentioned had been permitted to throttle the 1 who had chosen the wrong path in the first place, then there would be much joy on earth too!! And maybe here lies some of the problem.
blizzard, Midlands (15/03/2010 at 15:28)
WINDY MILLER, CAMBERWICK GREEN (15/03/2010 at 15:42)
15/03/2010 at 15:11........ A point well made. However what happens when these children leave school and find that the reward theory no longer applies when in the workplace? What happens when the reward is withdrawn? I’m sorry but good behaviour has to be something that comes from within either by good manners instilled by parents or fear of the consequences from those who don’t comply with the expected good behaviour. A question for you. If boy (a) smashes a school window, but then admits he was wrong, doesn’t do it again and is rewarded with (insert reward), what does boy (b) do, who has never smashed a window, never repented and hence never received a reward? Answer: He smashes the window!
citycentre, manchester (15/03/2010 at 16:15)
"A question for you. If boy (a) smashes a school window, but then admits he was wrong, doesn’t do it again and is rewarded with (insert reward), what does boy (b) do, who has never smashed a window, never repented and hence never received a reward? Answer: He smashes the window! "
One, you reward hin for not smashing other windows and he goes on to become George Washington, and two if you reward the other boy for not smashing the window as well all should be good.
I think much bad behaviour, especially among yonger people, stems from wanting attention, even if that attention os negative, thus if they transgress and are chastised, then ignored when they behave well, they will tend to transgress again so as to recieve attention. If, as proudtobeblue suggests, you instead give attention to those who behave well, this is then re-inforced as what will bring reward.
J smith (15/03/2010 at 19:56)
d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (15/03/2010 at 20:24)
If ASBOs work, why is it newsworthy and reason to give an award - just because ONE did?
Typical of the usual tripe you peddle here
Andanotherthing, Mcr (15/03/2010 at 20:46)
citycentre, manchester
Or a good hard crack...No trophy
geewizz, manchester (15/03/2010 at 21:25)
an good luck for the future
Yvonne McLaren (15/03/2010 at 22:15)
Yvonne McLaren (15/03/2010 at 22:22)
Punk-Monk Rocker, Gorton (15/03/2010 at 22:58)
Human beings are basically good. They realise the goodness within themselves easier if they have affirmation and loving support. The lethergy of envy thinking has cost too many young Mancunian lives to date. I'm ready to offer an award to a judgemental person who realises that their attitude has the potential to cause far more hurt than a broken school window.
Zara, you are an amazing young woman who has achieved something you can be proud of. Where the heart of this city beats, it beats with pride for all its young people who are helping make Manchester safer, healthier and happier for everyone by working on their own behaviour and ENCOURAGING others by example. Well done on your well deserved award!
Jetstar, Manchest`oh ! (15/03/2010 at 23:17)
unfortunately 99% of todays ASBO badge of honours are beyond redemption.
Public School Pimms Lout (16/03/2010 at 07:53)
Go forwards and upwards Zara. Show the ones you used to know and behave like how its done when you are a decent, honest and hard working member of society!
You go girl.................
citycentre, manchester (16/03/2010 at 08:35)
"Or a good hard crack...No trophy"
How sad. Did you read, and understand what I said, or just decide it was too complicated and that its easier to hit people than think?
STRETFORDIAN, TRAFFORD (16/03/2010 at 12:31)