Stage one of Aotearoa’s first purpose-built Youth Hub is one step closer to reality thanks to a $1 million donation from Christchurch-focused family philanthropic organisation, the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.
Stage one of Youth Hub Christchurch is under construction at 109 Salisbury Street in central Christchurch and aims to be a ‘one-stop shop’ that will provide everything rangatahi need to maintain and improve their mental health including health and support services. Stage one also includes 22 supported housing units for young people aged 16 to 24, provided they are actively looking for education, training or work.
“It takes a village to build a Youth Hub and we’re delighted the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust has come onboard as a key funder to build this not only New Zealand-first but world-first facility to improve the lives of our rangatahi,” Youth Hub Trust Chair Dame Sue Bagshaw says.
“A Youth Hub of this size and scale is unprecedented and we’re so grateful Wayne Francis can see the potential it has to be a turning point in the lives of our young people, as well as a driving force for systemic change in the way we deliver positive youth development.”
Wayne Francis’ contribution will ensure stage one can be completed by mid-next year.
“The Youth Hub will provide what we know works for young people – connected, holistic support to achieve life-long health and wellbeing through positive youth development,” Wayne Francis Charitable Trust Chair Helena Francis says.
“There are young people in Christchurch who, through no fault of their own, require support from a range of agencies. We’re proud to play a part in creating positive change for these young people, as well as for the communities we share.”
Once open, the Youth Hub is expected to deliver more than 8000 youth appointments a year.
Other major funders include Anglican Care who gifted use of the central city site, Government funding of $18.1 million under the Infrastructure Reference Group programme and a $500,000 grant from the Rātā Foundation.
Background
About Youth Hub Christchurch
The total project budget for Stage One of the Youth Hub is $19.6 million. Stage one includes a supported housing wing of 22 bedrooms and offices for youth providers based onsite.
The following organisations have expressed interest in having offices on site including Te Tahi Youth (formerly 298 Youth Health), Youthline, Catapult employment services, Family Works, the Collaborative Trust, Qtopia, Community Law, Voyce, Nurse Maude school nurses, Te Kura, People First New Zealand, Comcol North Canterbury and the Youth Service.
The Youth Hub Trust continues to fundraise to fitout the facility, as well as for stage two which includes an apartment block with 5 apartments each with 2-3 bedrooms, a basketball courtyard, public cafe which will be used for training purposes, creativity, music, performance and events spaces, an art gallery, education and training areas and planter boxes and greenhouses on the roof.
About the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust (WFCT)
WFCT is a family philanthropic organisation based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The Trust’s vision is to create equitable opportunities for young people and their whānau in Ōtautahi which can create change across Aotearoa. WFCT works proactively, growing relationships with people, communities and organisations to support change that achieves positive outcomes for young people. The Trust continues the legacy of generosity and social responsibility started by Wayne Francis during his lifetime. Wayne believed in empowering people to be self-determining. Further information about the Trust is available at www.wfct.org.nz
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