– Today is a little May 17, Christmas Eve and birthday on one and the same day.
This is what Trond Henriksen says during the event, which marks the start of construction on a project he has worked on for a long time.
A former goods house at the train station in Halden will have a new costume, and house the youth project Byparken. In the building, there will be lending of sports equipment and a hall for, among other things, concerts, conferences and exhibitions. In addition, a park area will be created outside.
The facility will be run by young people and young adults who are at risk of, or have, dropped out of school.
– This will be an arena for and for young people, says Henriksen.
Collected 20 million
Central to the project is Henriksen. He has worked for a long time to realize the project, and has collected 20 million from various supporters.
But the road to where he is today has been tortuous. Many years of Henriksen’s life have been marked by crime and intoxication.
30 years ago, Henriksen was described as Norway’s most dangerous criminal. This happened when he had been involved in the kidnapping of two people, including a policeman, in Horten. He was also in the documentary Big boys do not cry in 1995, which was about young men in prison.
Several years ago he became drug-free and started again. Now he works to help young people in his job as an environmental worker in Halden for the Church’s City Mission.
– It’s about catching those who are about to drop out of school. It happened to me when I did not fix my English and started skipping school. It ended up costing me 13 years in prison and caused a lot of pain for both family and society, says Henriksen.
He points out what society can do to help young people who are at risk of coming out crooked.
– The third most important reason why young people drop out of school is a lack of adult contact. We must sit down and listen, talk and guide with an open mind and open ears. And try to find the resource in the individual and help to realize the dreams they have in life, says Henriksen.
Boasts of courage
Among the supporters of Byparken is Petter Nyquist, known from the TV 2 series “Petter Uteligger” and “Petter in prison”.
– It is insanely raw what Trond has achieved. This has not been a free project – he has raised 20 million from both companies and individuals, says Nyquist.
– STARTED DEMOLITION: With a gold crowbar, Petter Nyquist began the demolition of the equipment in the manor house at Halden station. Construction will begin in full in May. Photo: Sverre Saabye / TV 2
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He points out that Henriksen has stood for a long time to realize Byparken.
– He is passionate about this and sees the importance of it. And now this is finally becoming a reality. So I think it’s a huge day for Trond, he says.
Will help young people who are struggling
Through his job as an environmental worker, Henriksen can use his life experience to help others.
– My crime has cost society over 100 million kroner. I can never pay it back, but I can help young people not make the same stupid choices as me. It’s fun to be a part of, he says.
Henriksen hopes Byparken can become a social meeting place.
– This has been a dream for four years that is now becoming a reality. I feel that this is big, says Henriksen.
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