Wed 9 Sep 2015 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
RainbowYOUTH's drop-in centre on Auckland's Karangahape Rd RainbowYOUTH continues to grow, appointing a National Projects Coordinator and an Administration Assistant. General Manager Duncan Matthews says it’s building capacity as it takes on new projects and ramps up its national presence. "RainbowYOUTH expanding represents the need that is out there for services for queer and gender diverse young people, which is not currently being filled.” He says the organisation is being recognised as the nationwide leader in the area, with its services and partnerships growing here in Auckland and across the country. Aram Wu took on the role of National Projects Coordinator in late July and is responsible for the national rollout of RainbowYOUTH, Curative and Core Education’s latest education resource, Inside Out, which will be launched today. Wu has experience with in the queer and gender diverse community and event management skills, and is one of the founding members of rainbow Asian community group EquAsian, as well as a member of Auckland Council’s new Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel. "I'm excited to have Aram on board, bringing their wealth of skills and community connections into the organisation,” Duncan Matthews says. Filling the role of Administration Assistant is Jason Smith. Smith’s placement was supported by Mainstream Employment Programme, which offers a package of subsidies, training, and other support to help people get sustainable employment. The role is about clearing up space and time for the rest of RainbowYOUTH’s staff members to get on with their jobs. Matthews says Smith is a great addition to the team, helping build capacity as things such as health and safety compliance and meeting obligations under the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014 increase our the organisation’s administration. The two new additions to the RainbowYOUTH team make up a total of seven staff employed by the charity – the most in since it was founded 26 years ago.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th September 2015 - 7:49am