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Springboarding into action
Springboard has worked with 370 young people to date this year, helping them with education, work placement, mental health and wellbeing support, drivers licence, housing and supporting young parents. It employs 34 staff and has an estimated 20 to 30 volunteers. Work has been focused on developing the site to accommodate its programmes, and bringing life back to Sheepworld, the cafe and the campground. These three social enterprises will provide real world training opportunities for young people, but also provide funding income.
Youth development organisation Springboard will hold its annual fundraiser, Fund A Brighter Future, at its youth centre, on the Sheepworld property just north of Warkworth, on Saturday, November 11.
The theme this year is Be Part of Something BIG and supporters are being asked to invest in the young people of this district who need a little extra support.
General manager Dan Gray says BIG is when a young person gets a job, reconciles with family, gains a qualification, learns a new skill, finds hope or breaks an addiction.
“BIG is confronting a challenge, telling your story or taking risks by trying something new,” he says.
“It is about supporting young people to engage in meaningful experiences and to be proud of what they have achieved.”
He says the vision is to provide emergency housing, off-grid classrooms and fully equipped training facilities, and to see young people running businesses, zero youth unemployment and zero youth crime. The message is that everyone has a part to play.
“The support of our community in investing in something BIG will make a difference now, and for many years to come,” Gray says.
Kennards Hire and Northwood Developments are again generously offering to match dollar-for-dollar all donations up to $100,000.
Gray says the evening will be an opportunity to gather, hear stories from Springboard young people, enjoy an evening out and donate to help change lives.
Springboard hopes to raise $200,000 on the night.
“We have a big dream, and we are excited about the future for young people in this community. We are inviting our community to be part of something big by donating today,” Gray says.
Space is limited, so inquiries should be directed to dan@springboard.org.nz. For those who want to support but can’t attend on the night, an online portal is available at www.springboard.org.nz/fund-a-brighter-future.
