Community groups receive funding

Corie Haddock and Councillor Paul Goldsmith.

Supporting homelessness: Lifewise Centre Manager, Corie Haddock (left) and chairperson of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Paul Goldsmith.

From City Scene, published on 12 July, 2009.

Auckland city's community groups will be better off thanks to Auckland City Council recently approving more than $262,000 in funding.

The money, which comes from the council's community group assistance fund, will be used by worthy organisations who make a positive contribution to communities at a citywide level.

A total of 12 school holiday programme providers and 36 community groups received grants ranging from $2500 to $25,000.

Groups which received funding had to meet revised criteria, after council made changes to the way it provides grants to community groups. Priority was given to initiatives that were innovative and addressed an identified community need; were collaborative in nature; and had measureable outcomes.

"The council is conscious of the fact that these are difficult economic times for many community groups as well as for ratepayers. We've put careful thought into our new funding system and criteria, and are pleased to make a contribution to these particular groups who provide important services in our community," says Councillor Paul Goldsmith, chairperson of the Community Services Committee.

The community group assistance fund is one of four council funds for community groups. For more information, visit Grants and funding online or phone Auckland City Council.

2009 recipients of Auckland City Council's community group assistance fund

Assisting homelessness in the city was one of the largest recipients, with Lifewise receiving $25,000. "The Lifewise Centre offers practical assistance to people of all ages who are homeless, isolated or marginalised," says Corie Haddock, Lifewise Centre Manager. "We're focused on solving homelessness, assisting individuals to access and maintain accommodation. "This involves dealing with the complex issues which tend to lock people into homelessness."

He adds, "The grant we received from Auckland City Council has been hugely appreciated. It will help us develop our services, including putting in place an assessment and case management tool, which will enable the various agencies involved to work together really effectively. It's great to have the council supporting much-needed initiatives in the community such as this."

You can find out more about Lifewise online.

A wide range of other initiatives have received grants as part of the fund. Examples include:

$5000 to The Starjam Charitable Trust to assist with tutor fees in providing a series of workshops for children with special needs
$5000 to Kidscan Charitable Trust to provide programmes such as Raincoats for Kids, Food for Kids and Shoes for Kids for selected schools
$2800 to Age Concern Auckland Inc to assist with the publication of newsletters that will promote quality of life for all older people
$2500 to the Auckland Parents Centre Inc to assist with costs in the delivery of parenting education courses.