PRESS RELEASE

A project that aims to save teenagers before they begin a life of crime has gained funding worth $300,000 in a multi-year grant from Auckland’s ASB Community Trust.

The Turn Your Life Around (TYLA) Trust, which runs in Otara and Avondale, uses a referral programme to identify at-risk students while they are still in Year Seven. Those students then receive support and mentoring right through to when they enter the workforce or go on to further education.

The TYLA programme includes camps, outdoor education and holiday programmes, tuition to gain qualifications and skills, leadership training and cultural opportunities.

ASB Community Trust CEO Jennifer Gill says $100,000 a year will, for the next three years, help TYLA grow the programme so it can be rolled out elsewhere in country. It is part of more than $800,000 worth of grants made to South Auckland groups in the Trust’s latest funding round.

“The TYLA programme supports young people, who are at risk of serious offending, to align their potential with their performance in all environments. It encourages young people to achieve their own personal goals,” she says.

The Trust was drawn to the programme because of TYLA’s long-term commitment to the young people involved and the positive results it has already delivered.

“It works with children in their family environment. It’s also integrated into the school programme, with an emphasis on intervention before young people get into serious trouble,” Ms Gill says.

TYLA has been operating in Avondale since 1997 and rolled the programme out in Otara this year. A Police Youth at Risk Offending Programme evaluation in the Avondale area showed the programme created a 50% reduction in the rate of offending.

Among other groups to gain ASB Community Trust grants was Pakuranga’s Eastgate Community Trust, which was given $195,640 to help set up a new day service facility for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilites.

The Quality of Life Trust, which also works in the disabilities sector, was granted $49,732 for renovation work on its Mangere community home for those with the dual disability of congenital deafness and blindness.

The Quality of Life Trust runs the only home in New Zealand specifically catering to the specialised needs of people who are both deaf and blind. It is also an initiative of families of the residents in the home.

Down in Papakura, the Hunua Falls Presbyterian Camp was granted $136,544 for building upgrades in its facilities for school and comunity group camps.

Meanwhile, Otahuhu’s South Auckland Adult Literacy gained $47,658 for its fanau literacy programme. It provided free courses in literacy, numeracy, the driving licence process and in computing to people across Manukau, Papakura and Otahuhu.

The arts also gained funding, with Howick Little Theatre granted $20,442 toward an upgrade of its facilities in Lloyd Elsmore Park.

“The previous ASB Community Trust grant in 2001/02 ($32,750) made such a huge difference to our operation and what we could offer the community. This one will complete the transformation,” says theatre management committee member Alison Mudford.

Manukau City Symphony Orchestra was granted $37,000 towards its operational costs, equipment and website development. The 108-strong orchestra is made up of one third professional musicians, one third skilled amateurs and one third young and emerging musicians.

“It is clear that this organisation makes a valuable contribution to the Manukau community and the musicians’ shared passion for music provides an inspiration to the city,” says Ms Gill.

Sport was not forgotten either, with ASB Community Trust making a $39,562 grant to
The Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club. The funds will go toward equipment for junior players, coaching manuals, coaching and evaluation software and a building upgrade.

ASB Community Trust decides on grants for projects in education, the arts, sport, recreation, environment, heritage, health and social services areas in Auckland and Northland each month.

Founded on the sale of its shares in the ASB bank, the Trust has granted more than $500m since being formed in 1988. Any incorporated society or charitable trust can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation.

For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz

ENDS

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