A $260,000 grant from Central Lakes Trust (CLT) will help Kahu Youth continue to deliver its range of programmes for young people.

The long-running local charity exists to help encourage, educate and entertain youth aged 11-24 in the Upper Clutha.

“This funding allows us to maintain our great team and grow and expand our programmes for local youth with confidence,” Kahu Youth Trust chair Randal Dobbs told the Wānaka App.

Randal said Central Lakes Trust was one of Kahu Youth’s key funders, giving it “a great foundation”.

“This allows us to grow our positive presence in the youth space and develop a long term strategic plan.”

Kahu Youth began in 2003 with just one youth worker after the community recognised the need for a youth voice and with youth-based activities and events within the Upper Clutha community.

Twenty years on it provides a broad range of programmes and opportunities for young people with a series of youth development works, an active board of trustees, and operates from its new base at Paetara Aspiring Central. 

Central Lakes Trust made the $260,000 grant to Kahu Youth earlier this month to support operational costs. 

A separate grant of $5,000 from Central Lakes Trust will help with the final touches at Kahu Youth’s new space in Aspiring Central to fund a new mural, which young people will complete during weekend art workshops.

Kahu Youth is holding its first event in the new premises - the Kahu Youth Volunteer Awards - tonight (Friday, November 24).

See also: Awards to showcase youth contribution.

PHOTO: Deanna Gerlach