An Otago Community Trust (OCT) grant will help youth charity Kahu Youth continue to deliver free programmes for young people in the Upper Clutha.

Kahu Youth has received a multi-year grant for $184,000 and the charity is “incredibly grateful” for the support, operations director Anna Sutherland told the Wānaka App.

“Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to move into our new youth centre, gain social services accreditation, and strengthen our youth development programmes,” Anna said.

“This three-year funding gives us the stability and security to continue our work, and most importantly to invest in our dedicated team of youth workers.”

Anna said the fund allows Kahu Youth to deliver its programmes for free, “keeping them accessible to local families”.

These programmes included drop-in sessions, one-to-one mentoring, PULSE, the Upper Clutha Youth Council, a Rainbow Youth support group and community events.

“Other programmes are heavily subsidised, with sponsored spaces always available to ensure the rangatahi who need them most can take part,” Anna said. 

The local organisation was one of many to receive support from OCT in its youth-focused latest funding round.

"We believe in investing in the future of our region through targeted support for programmes that benefit young people," OCT chair Andy Kilsby said. 

Other local recipients in the most recent funding round included Disc Golf Wānaka ($10,000), Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre ($9,500), Te Kura O Tititea Mount Aspiring College ($4,000), Wānaka Squash Rackets Club Inc ($10,000), Wānaka & District Lions Club ($35,000), and the Hāwea Domain Board ($31,500).

PHOTO: Supplied