17 August 2007

Funding for a community worker for Otahuhu

Auckland City Council will help to fund a community development worker in Otahuhu as part of a raft of measures to address the issue of youth gangs.

The council and the Ministry of Social Development will jointly fund the role at a total cost of $240,000 over three years, with each organisation contributing $120,000.

The initiative aims to support the development of strong community organisations and local leadership around safety, community activities, and support for young people and their families.

The council is funding the initiative after Otahuhu was identified as a hot spot for youth gang activity.

The chairperson of the Partnerships Committee, John Hinchcliff, says the council has been working to increase focus and funds in Otahuhu.

“We’ve been working with other agencies to implement a programme of initiatives in Otahuhu to address the issue of graffiti, vandalism and youth gangs.

“Jointly funding a community development worker for the area is another step in the right direction and will help to drive some of the changes needed to develop greater social cohesion,” Dr Hinchcliff says.

The Northern Regional Manager from the Ministry of Social Development, Robyn Rusher, says prevention and collaborative initiatives like this are integral to improving outcomes for families, young people and the communities that they live in.

“Otahuhu will benefit from having someone who can coordinate and facilitate local ideas contributing to the community being strong, vibrant, safe and connected,” she says

The chairperson of the council’s Community Development and Equity Committee, Councillor Cathy Casey says the council is committed to making a difference in Otahuhu.

Other programmes the council has initiated, or been involved in, in Otahuhu include:

• building a new recreation and youth centre
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• progressing plans for a new swimming pool and library
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• implementing alcohol bans at certain parks
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• improved response times to address graffiti and vandalism
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• development of a community steering group to guide local initiatives.
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Dr Casey says, “Youth gangs are a complex issue and it’s important the council works together with other agencies to try and address this problem.

“Funding a community development worker is an example of what we can do together to curb the incidence of youth gangs and to give young people opportunities to get involved in other areas of life,” Dr Casey says.

She says the council is also looking at the issue of youth gangs in other communities and is continuing to advocate to central government to specifically address youth gang issues in Auckland city.

Dr Casey says various suburbs including Avondale, Mt Roskill and Wesley face these issues and a coordinated central government response is needed.

Ends

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