Massey’s Raise Up youth group has secured $38k in funding for a new Youth Hub to be located at Massey Leisure Centre managed by YMCA. 

Massey’s Raise Up coordinator Conin Bowker said a rapid population increase and injection of new families into Massey has seen a growing need for more designated youth spaces in the local area.

“The closest current youth space is in Henderson,” Bowker said. 

“A lack of dedicated youth spaces in the local area means young people are missing out on resources and support that can empower them to develop events and programmes that benefit the Massey community.” 

Last year members of the Massey Raise Up youth crew presented a case for a youth hub to the Henderson-Massey Local Board. The idea was met with enthusiasm from local board members.

“We’re pleased to say funding for phase one of the project has now been secured through The Trusts Million Dollar Mission. The funding will enable us to develop a space that will meet the complex and diverse needs of youth in our local community.” 

On Tuesday night the funding was presented to Massey Raise Up by West Auckland’s The Trusts as part of the Million Dollar Mission competition. Massey Raise Up is hoping to secure further funding for the project to enable an outdoor extension to the space. Work on the Youth Hub will begin in June with an anticipated opening in late 2017. 

YMCA Auckland thanks all supporters who voted for the Youth Hub in the Million Dollar Mission. 

About Raise Up 
Raise Up is YMCA’s youth development programme run by youth for youth and operates in 11 locations across Auckland and Hamilton.

Since the programme began in 2002, Raise Up youth crews have provided 18,830 hours of voluntary service to their local communities. In April 2017 the programme received a Youth Group Award from Youth Minister Nikki Kaye in the 2017 New Zealand Youth Awards.

Visit raiseup.co.nz for more information.