On the 2nd of November this year, Regional Grants Specialist Courtney Keenan from the Foundation’s National Office is overcoming her fears for tamariki and rangatahi by participating in Drop For Youth 2024. Courtney will be jumping out of a plane 12,000 feet to raise awareness and funds for Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North.
Born and raised in the sunny Far North, Courtney understands the challenges young people face in Te Tai Tokerau and the importance of life skills, education, and the positive impact this can have.
“I have always liked the idea of skydiving, but fear has held me back. I want to show my two young boys, and young people in the Far North, that by overcoming fear and life’s obstacles, you can grow and thrive in life,” says Courtney.
Courtney has worked for the Graeme Dingle Foundation for the last six years and has seen first-hand the positive impact their mahi has on the lives of thousands of young people.
“Through two youth development programmes Kiwi Can and Career Navigator Ngā Ara Whetū, they are changing lives and creating a stronger youth population in the Far North.”
Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North empowers tamariki and rangatahi by developing their self-belief, life skills and resilience, empowering them to realise potential
They deliver the Foundation’s primary school programme, Kiwi Can, to over 800 ākonga including Bay of Islands International Academy, Kaingaroa School, Mangonui School, Matauri Bay School, Ngataki School, Oruaiti School, Peria School, Taipa Area School, Te Hapua School, Te Kura o Hato Hohepa Te Kamura, and Totara North School.
Additionally, the Career Navigator Ngā Ara Whetū programme is currently being delivered in two schools: Bay of Islands College, and Northland College.
For every $1 invested in Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes, $10.50 is returned to New Zealand’s economy*. This demonstrates the long-lasting positive impact of the programmes, striving toward the Foundation’s vision of making Aotearoa the best place in the world to be young.
If you’d like to help supercharge Courtney’s impact and contribute to the lives of many young people across the Far North, please donate here.
ENDS
For further information please contact Annabelle Hutchinson, Marketing Digital and Design Manager