Hub helps work in kids’ development

People dedicated to changing the lives of South Auckland youth are getting important help.

A ‘Momentum Hub’ established at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau houses six not-for-profit organisations working in youth development and education.

They’re the Big Buddy Foundation, John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation, Life Education Trust, The Rising Foundation, iSport Foundation and Second Nature Charitable Trust.

Prime Minister Bill English, who launched the hub on February 9, says the Government has a strong interest in such initiatives through its work in social investment.

‘‘It is worth spending almost any amount of time and energy keeping a young person on track to employment.

‘‘If they get off-track and into the welfare system by age 20 there is a huge long-term cost.’’

English says his Government needs to get better at working with such organisations.

‘‘This [the hub] is one part of what has to be a big jigsaw puzzle.

‘‘Every young person [should] feel the community and their family values what they can contribute to New Zealand.’’

The hub is overseen by Second Nature Charitable Trust, which runs the Vodafone Events Centre.

Trust chief executive Richard Jeffery says he and his colleagues want to foster collaboration among the organisations involved and an ‘‘operational structure that provided more bang for the buck’’.

‘‘Wero can collaborate with them in outdoor education activities that support the youth education programmes.’’

Life Education Trust Counties Manukau chairman Paul Cressey says he was quick to take up the chance to get involved.

‘‘Many of our funders look for evidence of collaboration in our sector and this is a real way of looking at how to make savings and avoid duplication of resources.

‘‘All trusts involved in the hub are passionate about the people of Counties Manukau and we have an amazing opportunity to share knowledge, work together and have more impact in our community.’’

The Momentum Hub is funded by the Second Nature and Joyce Fisher Charitable Trusts.