A project supporting young parents with Transitional Housing and wrap around support will commence in 2023, after receiving philanthropic support from the Eliza White Charitable Trust.
The additional funding will allow the HOPE Project to commence in 2023, supporting young parents at the seven-unit Ozanam Apartments in Christchurch. The HOPE Project supports young parents with a range of services that meet individual and whānau needs, including social work support, as well as a range of pregnancy and parenting support and education services.
Kath Prins, General Manager Community, Youth and Child Services, said ”our team are incredibly thankful for the generous support of the Eliza White Charitable Trust who have invested $85,000 for the establishment year.”
“The Ozanam Apartments will provide safe, secure and stable housing for seven young families. Our team via the HOPE Project, will work alongside those families, supporting them with individual social work and a range of other pregnancy and parenting support and education services.”
”Supporting families in the vital early years provides lasting benefit in the lives of both parent and child. A 2021 analysis commissioned by Rata Foundation found that our Young Parents Development services delivered $4 in social value for each dollar invested.”
The HOPE Project has also received grant funding support for its foundational year from the Hoatu Fund, the Elizabeth Ball Charitable Trust and the Kiwi Gaming Foundation.
Mike Daly, Ozanam Canterbury Charitable Trust Chair, said “we are hugely appreciative of the support of such a broad range of philanthropic supporters and organisations that have facilitated this project. Our welfare delivery increased 25% over the last three months of 2022, and the completion of this housing project comes at a welcome time.”
“Significant foundational support from the Eliza White Charitable Trust, Hoatu Fund, and the Maurice Carter Charitable Trust injected energy and vitality into the development of this project, and we are grateful to the Trustees and committee members for their vision and strong commitment.”
“We are fortunate to be working with the experienced team at St John of God Waipuna to provide high-quality support that will enable these young families to be successful in their tenancies and to grow and develop.”
The construction of the Ozanam Apartments is complete and was facilitated by a range of organisational and private funders including the Eliza White Foundation, Hoatu Fund, Christchurch City Council (Endowment Fund), the Maurice Carter Charitable Trust, Kiwi Gaming Foundation and the Hugo Charitable Trust.
The project is an initiative of Ozanam Canterbury Charitable Trust, a collaboration between the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Canterbury
Bishop Michael Gielen, Mike Daly (Chair, Ozanam Canterbury Charitable Trust) and Sarah Hillier.(CEO, St John of God Hauora Trust) at the opening of the complex.