Thriving in Murihiku Fund grants $375,000 in 2023 Round
Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation is proud to support a range of new and existing initiatives as a further $375,000 in grants are made to organisations in Waihōpai (Invercargill) and Motupōhue (Bluff) as part of the Invercargill Initiative.
The following organisations were funded as part of the 2023 round.
- Murihiku Young Parents Learning Centre is a teen parent unit in Southland. The $15,000 grant will support a series of one-day trips to all Murihiku Marae to build cultural knowledge and connection to culture for students.
- Lighthouse Southland is a specialist family violence agency providing support and services to the victims/survivors and users of family violence and abuse. The $39,000 grant will continue to support the delivery of an education programme for rangatahi in Murihiku whose behaviours are causing harm to them, or those around them.
- Insert Coin to Play Charitable Trust work to provide easier access to technology and social opportunities for children, teenagers, and young adults. The $40,000 grant will support the organisation to continue offering their programme to rangatahi in Murihiku.
- Awarua Whanau Services is a kaupapa Māori whanau service and a subsidiary of Te Rūnaka o Awarua. The $50,000 grant (made up of $40,000 from Thriving in Murihiku and $10,000 from the Bluff Activation Fund) will employ a youth mentor to service rangatahi in Bluff who have limited access to services.
- Awarua Whanau Services also received a grant of $50,000 by the Bluff panel for a feasibility study exploring the development of a multi-purpose community facility for rangatahi in Motupōhue.
- YMCA Southland offer a range of youth services and mentoring, and youth development programmes. The $42,000 grant will support the staffing of a fully kitted-out trailer designed to take physical activity into communities that face disadvantage, exclusion, and lack of confidence. the ‘Community Connector’ trailer enables The Y to have a presence in the wider Murihiku community, particularly areas of Invercargill and Bluff with high deprivation levels.
- Youthline Southland is a local organisation providing support, information, crisis intervention, and referrals for young people. The $46,000 grant will support the employment of a volunteer coordinator to assist the ongoing work of the organisation.
- South Alive is a community-led development organisation based in South Invercargill, aiming to revitalise the most under-resourced part of Invercargill. The $13,000 grant will support a series of events, workshops, and initiatives for rangatahi in South Invercargill.
- Southern Queens Boxing provide a safe and open environment for rangatahi and aim to create a healthy path to nurture their determinations, hopes, and strengths. The $30,800 grant will support the organisation to provide access to rangatahi experiencing disadvantage and exclusion.
Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation grants $375,000 to ten initiatives in Murihiku Southland – Media Release
Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation is proud to support a range of new and existing initiatives as a further $375,000 in grants are made to organisations in Waihōpai (Invercargill) and Motupōhue (Bluff) as part of the Invercargill Initiative.
The Thriving in Murihiku contestable fund is focused on providing funding to organisations creating positive outcomes for rangatahi in Murihiku Southland. A portion of this year’s fund was ringfenced for the Bluff Activation Fund to ensure Bluff was well represented in decisions made.
Continuing Te Rourou’s community-led kaupapa, each fund was led by a panel who jointly decided where the funds would go to best support rangatahi in the rohe. The panel was made up of community members, including rangatahi and those working in the youth sector, bringing their lived experiences and knowledge to support decision making.
Te Rourou Community Catalyst Mandy Smith said there had been an overwhelming number of applications for the fund, and while the decision-making process had been difficult for each panel, the right people had been sitting around those tables.
“It was inspiring to see how many people are working toward supporting our young people. It meant a lot of discussion went into making those final decisions, but it really affirmed the notion that locals are the experts in their own communities. We love the initiatives supported by this community,” she said.
One recipient was Number 10 Youth One Stop Shop who provide a range of free health, wellbeing, and support services to young people. The organisation was given $50,000 for an emergency support fund for rangatahi. Number 10 Director Jude Crump said the fund meant the organisation could better support the increasing number of rangatahi who are “falling into gaps between funding”.
“Often a small financial outlay in an emergency or crisis can make the difference between surviving and thriving. We will utilise this money alongside the existing supports we offer to fulfil our vision of ‘healthy, resilient young people’,” she said.
Te Rourou Community Catalyst Stacy Hughes said such initiatives were a great example of innovative funding which would assist Te Rourou in learning what works best for a place-based initiative.
“It was immediately clear to the panel that supporting something like this was essential for disadvantaged rangatahi. Working alongside Number 10 to see the impact of this fund will give a good idea of the real need in the community,” he said.
