Youth crew gets award

Mt Albert YMCA’s Raise Up crew are gearing up for another busy year after receiving an award for their hard work in 2012.

The team of 25 young Mt Albert residents took out the youth prize at the Albert-Eden Local Board’s first community awards last month in recognition and appreciation of their outstanding service to local youth.

Raise Up is a youth development programme run by committees of young locals in six loca- tions across Auckland who identify the needs of youth in their communities.

The Mt Albert programme engaged with more than 3000 young people through its events and initiatives last year.

The crew has been involved with organising large-scale dance parties, the opening of the AlbertEden skate park and writing, producing and recording music with emerging local young talent.

The crew has plans to launch even more workshops and events for local youth this year.

Mt Albert YMCA youth programmes manager Kev Carter says the award means so much to the team.

‘‘These amazing young people take time out of their busy lives to ensure the rest of the community have heaps of positive things to do. It’s great that the local board has recognised the amazing work of the Raise Up crew,’’ Mr Carter says.

Jumping for joy: The Mt Albert YMCA Raise Up crew’s work with local youth has been recognised by the Albert-Eden Local Board at its first community awards. Pictured with the crew is the YMCA’s Daylyn Concessio.