Taranaki Youth Boost Doubles Support for Local Talent
26 June 2024Over the past five years, over $50,000 gifted to boost the talents of our ambitious youngsters through Youth Boost.
Taranaki Youth Boost is now set to double in size with a new look, new name and the level of annual boosts doubling from additional investment and support.
Taranaki Youth Boost was born out of a desire and commitment to support the aspirations of our region’s talented youth. Inspired by the overwhelming requests for financial assistance from young individuals striving to pursue their passions, Taranaki Steelformers co-founders Brendon Back and Brent Taylor launched the initiative.
“Youth Boost was a meaningful way for us as a company to give back to our community and support young people to follow their dreams, while at the same time taking a little bit of the financial burden away from parents or guardians,” says Brendon.
Since its inception in 2019, Taranaki Youth Boost has already helped over 100 young people in Taranaki across a wide range of activities, attracting an average of 200 monthly entries from school-age individuals seeking support for their pursuits, including cricket, dancing, sailing, surfing, singing, tennis, hockey, photography, problem solving, rugby league, music, rugby, multisport, academic excellence, and athletics.
Now, with the additional generous support of OMV, Craig’s Investment Partners, New Plymouth Partners, ABMM and Taranaki Foundation, the programme is excited to announce a significant expansion. Taranaki Youth Boost is now able to award four grants of $500 each month to help our young people access opportunities to realise their potential.
Additionally, the newly launched Youth Boost website, https://youthboost.co.nz/ provides a user-friendly platform for applicants to submit their entries as well as corporates and individuals to consider investing in or donating to Taranaki Youth Boost.
“We are delighted that the evolution of the Youth Boost programme will significantly increase the opportunities for our school-age tamariki and rangitahi, With 48 boosts now available each year. This expansion now offers more opportunities for talented young people in Taranaki each month through Youth Boost, all thanks to the enduring support from our community partners and Taranaki Foundation.” John Leuthart, Lead NP Partners
Photo: Kalani Louis – Financial assistance from Youth Boost helped Kalani to attend the ISA World Junior Surfing Champs in El Salvador.