Media Release
June 11, 2009

Council welcomes funding boost for youth project

Waitakere City Council says a government funding boost for its Youth Action 4 Change Youth project will enable more young people initiate positive change for the city’s youth.

Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett today announced the successful recipients of the Ministry of Youth Development’s Youth Development Partnership Fund, with Waitakere receiving $102,000.

“I’m delighted to congratulate the Waitakere City Council, whose innovative project, Youth Action 4 Change programme is among those to be granted funding”.

“The great thing about these projects is that they get young people actively engaged and helping their peers. Having young people involved in the development and implementation of these projects is vital,” Ms Bennett says.

Youth Action 4 Change was launched last year with the opening of the youth information services centre in Henderson, known as SUSS-IT.

SUSS-IT is a place where young people can access information that is relevant to them, and is presented in a youth-focused way.

The first year of the of the project has seen a large number of young people accessing information varying from health, housing, budgeting, parenting and education options.

The second part of the project is the chance for young people passionate about helping others to take on a mentoring role with fellow youth through the Youth Action 4 Change scholarship scheme.

The first scholarship recipient of is Hadleigh Pouesi, a member of the former world-champion hip hop dance group, Sweet and Sour.

The extra funds will allow a further two scholarships to be made available.

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse welcomed the funding boost.

“This is a perfect example of the great social results that we can deliver when government and local government act together.”

The Youth Development Partnership Fund provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Youth Development, territorial authorities and young people to work together to provide new and innovative local youth development projects.

More than $700,000 has been awarded to councils across New Zealand from the fund this round.

“Projects designed by adults for young people risk not hitting the mark. Why not go straight to the source? I believe it’ll help strength young people’s participation and engagement with their community,” says Ms Bennett.

Editor’s note: SUSS-IT is partnership between the youth services sector in Waitakere, the Waitakere City Council and the Ministry of Youth Development. SUSS-IT is located on Alderman Drive, Henderson (next to West Wave Aquatic Centre) and is open Monday to Friday.

ENDS

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