Amplify School of Music tutors, Josiah, Grace & Jordan celebrated the end of the school year with an epic teachers performance – including the principal on keyboard!  Thanks for an awesome year Rāwhiti School​

Last week we made a special announcement regarding a partnership with Crichton Cobbers, the 85 year old Christchurch youth agency, who are dissolving and passing their assets to Youth Alive Trust.  Check out this media report:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/99576779/legacy-of-85yearold-crichton-cobbers-kept-alive-by-new-brighton-youth-charity

To keep the legacy alive, we have launched a website that collates their history, newspaper articles, photos and videos, plus information about how the legacy will continue.  Please do check it out: www.crichtoncobberslegacy.kiwi

Their legacy will also continue to support youth development, particularly under-privileged youth on the east of Christchurch through:

1. Two $5,000 youthwork scholarships awarded each year for trainees working with young people on the east of Christchurch.  The 2018 winners are already on the website, where you’ll also be able to read their blogs.
2. Seven historical Crichton Cobbers Trophies that have been re-launched and will be awarded annually to young people involved in the Youth Alive Trust community.  The 2017 winners are described on the new website.
3. Proceeds from the winding up of the Crichton Cobbers Property Board will be invested and interest gained on an annual basis will be used to support the ongoing operational costs of Youth Alive Trust programmes.  The principal sum will not be touched, meaning an extra $15,000 – $25,000 per year to support young people on the east of Christchurch, for many more generations to come.

Last week we hosted 50 of our friends, supporters and donors for an end of year Celebration Breakfast.  Highlights (apart from the buffet breakfast) included:

• Stories from our youthworker Matt, particularly about the impact he’s having on a teenager he’s been mentoring for 5 years
• Stories from our counsellor, and the saddening fact that she counsels 5-6 primary school children every week who say they don’t want to go on living.
• Affirmation from South New Brighton School Principal and local Councillor David East.
• Our end of year survey results stated:

• • 96% of young people said YAT programmes have been a fun & happy place to be
  • 68% of young people said YAT programmes had given them more confidence
  • 81% of young people said they had learnt New Skills at YAT Programmes
  • 90% of young people said YAT had given them positive role models
  • 65% of young people said YAT have supported them through hard times

Check out our 3 minute highlights video from 2017, created by one of our young people:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vacX0pHMjbw

2018 Needs

We are so grateful for the many who helped our 2017 budget shortfall, raising an extra $44,000 towards our $50,000 target.  However we did still cut staffing hours and some programmes, and with rising costs and the need still strong, we’re asking if you’d also be willing to support us in 2018.  In the past two weeks we’ve been declined $13,000 of expected funding for next year, yet we know we need to increase the amount of youthwork hours dedicated to Mentoring some of our more at-risk young people, and more hours are needed to develop our teenage leaders.

One off donations or regular donations can be made into our ANZ account, with your name and ‘Friend of YAT’ as a reference.  Thank you again to everyone who already donates – you are making a difference in these young people’s lives!

Youth Alive Trust Bank Account: 117892-0066444-00

If you’d like to discuss any of this in more detail, or like to visit us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing you and your family a restful & refreshing Christmas and summer break!

We were super proud to host three of our local schools for three special events in the past week at Grace Vineyard Beach Campus. Our local teachers do an AMAZING job in our community and they can’t be thanked enough!!#Enjoyyourwellearnedbreak #South New Brighton School, #Rāwhiti School #New Brighton Catholic School

We’re hosting our final tots music concert of the year on Friday morning, when Petite Music Box perform their Christmas Show. All welcome. All info on attached event link.

https://www.facebook.com/events/916105241881163/

Looking for after-school care in 2018? Our OSCAR is a bit different as it’s ONLY for School Years 5 – 8 (no little kids), and there’s a different programme everyday, including Kitchen Klub, Craft Club, Basketball and an Outing Day. FREE Van Pick up’s from Rawhiti Primary, New Brighton Catholic and South New Brighton Primary Schools, and if you work or study, you’ll probably qualify for an MSD subsidy! More info on the link, or pop in for a chat!!

Senior OSCAR

Very proud of the Youth Alive Trust music Coordinator, Josiah Dayo, for creating and building up the Amplify School of Music​ over the past 5 years to over 135 music students every week, plus youth bands and live gigs and concerts! Ara Institute of Canterbury​ also thought that this was a great story – so they made an advert for us (& them). Check it out…

Father Son Camp regos for 2018 are now live, sign up online right now. Camp is now 2 nights and is on the 2-4th March, register now so you don’t miss out! It’s going to epic! Camp is $120 for each father son pair. Get in quick not to miss out as spaces are limited!

Click Here to go to the father son camp page

Everyone is welcome to the annual Family Fun Night from
5:00pm – 7:30pm @ Grace Vineyard Beach Campus, 111 Seaview Road, New Brighton. Plenty of parking on Beresford Street.

For only a gold coin donation, join in a large variety of carnival games, bouncy castles, arts & crafts, games, food (to purchase), live bands and this years entertainer is the famous El Gregoe!!!

We encourage ‘non-spooky’ dress-up’s because it’s a safe & fun alternative to Trick or Treating.

Big Shout Out to Fi, who runs Dance Fitness classes in New Brighton every Monday and Thursday night with all profits going towards Youth Alive Trust – helping support our programmes such as mentoring, camps, schools youthworkers, youth clubs, events and parenting & pre-school programmes. All ages and abilities welcome, for just $8 per class, $6 per student, plus concessions cards available. Follow her page on the link below. Give it a try with a mate – and support a worthy cause at the same time. Thanks Fi 🙂