Projects targeting youth get initial funding nod

Two projects that let children experience sport and music, and will build self-esteem, build relationships and strengthen families are in line for funding from Porirua City.

Project Porirua, a collaboration between Ole Football Academy and Virtuoso Strings, has requested $104,500 from Porirua City Council’s Making an Impact fund for 2017/18.

It was approved by Thursday’s Grants, Awards and Events subcommittee that both of these projects should progress to the next stage of the application process, where they will be invited to complete a business case. These will be considered at the City Delivery Committee on 14 June and the final funding decisions made.

In the next three years, Project Porirua plans to host up to 60 children, aged 6-10, at the football academy’s base in the old Porirua Hospital grounds, two nights a week for 40 weeks.

They will be transported there for free, get a meal and be encouraged to do homework, along with engaging in music, football lessons and other activities. Bishop Viard College, Pacific Flow Yoga, Sport Wellington, Cannons Creek Boxing Academy and Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) are also involved in the initiative.

An assessment of the project – and others that applied to the fund – was carried out by nine young people aged from 11-23 years on behalf of the Council. Comments they made included that it was well thought out, covered the logistics like meals and transport well, and had an excellent focus on sport and the arts.

The second application approved was from Wesley Alliance, a collaborative group including Wesley Community Action, Maraeroa Health Clinic, Taeoamanino Trust and the Tumai Hauora Ki Porirua Alliance, that have also requested $104,500 to expand youth services and improve existing programmes in eastern Porirua.

Grants, Awards and Events subcommittee chairperson Izzy Ford said Project Porirua fit the Making an Impact Fund criteria perfectly.

“What they’re proposing ticks a lot of boxes – there’s a real focus on giving young people opportunities they might not otherwise have,” she said.

“It’s been fantastic to have the youth assessment panel on board to help select the projects. It has made the whole process much more valid.”

The Council approved the Young Peoples Fund in December – that include the Making an Impact and Making it Happen funds - which aims to improve children and young people’s health, education, skills and wellbeing.

Also at the meeting on Thursday, the subcommittee granted funding for six projects, including a mosaic trail in Bothamley Park ($3000), Bush Sprouts at St Theresa’s School ($2200) and a Super 10s sporting tournament ($3000) from the Making it Happen Fund.

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