News Release

14 August 2013

Mayoress’ Fund helps young Aucklanders

Six programmes boosting young Aucklanders’ wellbeing, education and career prospects received grants totalling $101,000 from the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth this week.

The second round of annual grants from the Mayoress’ charity will go to First Foundation ($15,000), Mixit Charitable Trust ($16,000), The Rising Foundation ($20,000), PHAB Association Auckland Inc. ($15,000), Te Awaroa Youth Club ($20,000),  and the Rise UP Trust ($15,000).

Mayoress Shan Inglis says she is delighted that the next round of grants from the independent charitable fund have been made.

“It is important to me and Len that Auckland is an inclusive city, where our young people get the assistance and opportunities to reach their full potential and feel like they are an integral part of Auckland’s future.

“Some of our young people are falling out of the education and training systems and not getting into employment, with an accompanying negative impact on their self-esteem, wellbeing and future prospects. These programmes will benefit hundreds of young Aucklanders and help realise the wealth of talent and potential we have in our young people.”

“It is also important that we support people in the community working tirelessly to improve the lives and futures of our young people.”

Len Brown says transitions for young people are a key part of the Auckland Plan.

“Whether it’s the guidance our young people need to move into further education, training and employment, assistance to settle in a new community, or care for their health and wellbeing, it is important young Aucklanders have the support they need from their community,” says the Mayor. 

The Mayoress’ Fund for Youth is managed as a fund within Auckland Communities Foundation, which operates under the Community Foundation model. Applications for grants are assessed by the Foundation’s independent Research and Grants Committee.

“We received 66 eligible applications with a combined request totalling $1.9 million,” says Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Hilary Sumpter.

“This response to the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth by Auckland’s charities demonstrates the important role that philanthropic funding can play in supporting our region’s young people.

“Each of the fund’s recipients has been selected based on their ability to provide effective programmes to young people with demonstrable needs.  We are excited to support the six organisations in achieving positive outcomes for Auckland’s youth.”

First Foundation, based in Greenlane, will receive $15,000 towards helping academically gifted young Aucklanders from disadvantaged backgrounds move into tertiary study, running workshops to help them in a new learning environment, and providing mentoring.

The Mixit Charitable Trust, based in Henderson, will receive $16,000 towards running weekly arts, drama and dance activities for young people aged between 13 – 20 from migrant and refugee backgrounds which aim to build self-esteem, improve language skills, reduce social isolation and increase cross-cultural social networks.

The Rising Foundation, based in Takanini, will receive $20,000 to enable 22 young people from schools in Pukekohe, Papakura, Otara and Manurewa to take part in an intensive mentoring and support programme for at-risk youth, helping them successfully make the transition from intermediate school to high school.

PHAB Association Auckland Inc, based in Papatoetoe, gets $15,000 towards a Pasifika worker to help disabled Pasifika young people take part in weekly programme ‘PHAB Pasifika’ which includes self-discovery, leadership, social integration and peer mentoring.

The Rise UP Trust will receive $15,000 towards the purchase of a people mover to enable Mangere and Weymouth children, young people and their whanau to participate in a family learning programme, which encourages parents to become role models, engage with their child’s learning and engage with schools to advocate for their children.

Te Awaroa Youth Club, in Helensville, will receive $20,000 towards a programme to help  young people not in employment, education or training take part in a three-day per week, eight-week course which includes goal-setting, budgeting, relationships, DIY, job interviews, career guidance, cultural support, physical fitness, gardening, creative arts and outdoor education to help young people change direction and achieve success.

The Mayoress’ Fund for Youth was established to support the health, well-being, educational opportunities and employment of young people living in Auckland. The fund makes grants from money raised by the Westpac Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball and other fundraising events. The 2011 ball raised $170,000 and the 2012 ball raised $118,000.

In 2012, the inaugural round of grants went to the Kidz First Centre for Youth Health (now South Auckland Health Foundation); the Shakti Legal Advocacy and Family Social Services Youth Unit; Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis Young Dads’ Support programme; and the McLaren Park Henderson South Community Initiative – Computer Clubhouse hub West.

ENDS

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