Record funds raised for Kiwi youth

Warehouse Stationery customers have donated almost $63,000 to The Salvation Army’s Aspire Programme, enabling more than 60 at risk young people in six communities nationwide to attend a year-long youth development programme.

The latest fundraiser has lifted the annual donations from Warehouse Stationery customers to The Salvation Army’s programmes to $128,000—a record sum that will significantly boost the organisation’s ability to help Kiwis in need.

Over three weeks in May and June, customers of the company’s 66 stores were invited to add a dollar to their purchase to support Aspire. The Warehouse Stationery store with the most generous customers was Warkworth, followed by Whakatane and Silverdale.

The Salvation Army’s National Secretary of Social Services, Major Pam Waugh, says the funds raised will be used to run new Aspire programmes in Waitakere, Mt Albert, Royal Oak, Manukau, Upper Hutt and Christchurch. ‘These additional centres will extend the reach provided by our existing Aspire programmes in Whangarei, Mount Roskill, Hamilton and Carterton.’

Aspire is an innovative group-based classroom and experiential programme developed by The Salvation Army that helps vulnerable young people aged 10-16 overcome barriers and progress their goals. In 2015, thanks to funding from The Warehouse Group and their suppliers, more than 500 young people in 48 centres worked with 80 leaders to complete the four stage programme based on the Circle of Courage model of positive youth development.

‘Aspire delivered fantastic outcomes for our young participants so we are thrilled to secure additional funding to repeat the programme in many centres in 2016,’ explains Major Waugh. ‘Research completed as part of the programme showed a significant increase in key attitudinal indicators, such as a 36% increase in young people’s confidence to reach their goals.’

Warehouse Stationery Chief Executive Officer Pejman Okhovat says the appeal is one of a number of community programmes Warehouse Stationery supports to help Kiwis in need. ‘We are delighted by the success of this latest campaign, which again highlights the generosity of New Zealanders to help others less fortunate than themselves,’ he says.

The Salvation Army hosted several morning teas at Warehouse Stationery stores to say thank you to store staff for their great support.