The young people of Twizel and their families are set to benefit from continued support of The Y after it announced a three-year funding commitment to sustain its youth development programmes in the Mackenzie community.
The commitment became a reality last year with the employment of Hanna Devries, a youth worker based in Twizel, as a 30-hour per week position.
"Having Hanna, a familiar face from the community, has allowed us to move beyond our initial commitment into real, sustained impact," The Y Central South Island Youth and Community Development senior manager Jessica Thomas said in a statement.
The resource has allowed The Y to deliver a diverse range of activities, including community play, active recreation and sport, holiday programmes, driver education and licence support, and one-on-one youth work with Twizel Area School students.
The Y’s mahi in Twizel is championed by Ms Thomas, an ex-Twizel Area School student herself.
She said every little bit of help went a long way.
"We are extremely grateful for the donations and support we have received from individuals, businesses, and particularly the Mackenzie District Council (MDC) since establishing a physical presence here.
"Currently, The Y is co-located in the Twizel Event Centre with MDC staff, a partnership facilitated by Jarred Gravatt, team leader of the MDC community development team.
"Jarred and the MDC have been instrumental in embedding The Y and providing a space for our programmes to grow from."
It was also announced last month that the NZ Lotteries Grants Board, through their community funding, had granted funding for three years to support The Y’s ongoing work.
While the funding did not cover the full operational cost, it would provide a crucial foundation in securing The Y’s ability to keep Ms Devries active in the Twizel community.
"This three-year funding is a game-changer," Ms Devries said.
"It provides the stability we need to plan long-term and really deepen our connection with our taiohi, whānau, and hapori [community]. We are excited to keep exploring new opportunities based on what our young people tell us they need."
— Allied Media
