Making space for a brighter future!
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” – Desmond Tutu
Over 11,000 kids across New Zealand are homeless. ‘Lost in the system’ one might say.
Youth homelessness remains a key issue in New Zealand with over half the New Zealand homeless population under the age of 25 (Amore et al, 2013). Youth homelessness is driven largely by rangatahi transitions out of care, youth leaving the justice system with inadequate supports, and the rise of mental health struggles amongst vulnerable young people.
This year, as part of our fight to end homelessness, we are launching a youth housing programme called ‘My Whare’ that will develop and implement a comprehensive youth housing initiative focused on a young person’s transition to independence over a four year period. The programme will aim to prevent vulnerable young people from becoming long term homeless, and instead supporting them on a restorative path of wellbeing, education and independence.
Our Sleepless in September campaign in 2019 focuses on one crucial element of this programme: Studio Accommodation. This entails the young person living in a studio cabin on a host family’s property in years one and two. It is this cabin, at a cost of $50,000, that we need your help with.
Can you make a space for a brighter future today?
Take time this September to change a young persons life! You won’t regret it. For more information on ‘My Whare’ please click here.