17 May 2002

Green Social Services Spokesperson Sue Bradford will this morning launch a successful Green Party Budget proposal to fund the placement of skilled staff from the public, private and community sectors into community and voluntary organisations on six month 'community internships'.

The proposal was originally accepted by the Government in the 2001 / 2002 Budget Round. This year the proposal has been renewed and new funding of $535,000 allocated to include 20 internships.

"What this Budget initiative means is that 20 voluntary sector and community organisations this year will benefit from having a full-time paid intern from outside their own organisation to assist in their operations for six months," said Ms Bradford.

"Many of these organisations do excellent and very worthwhile work but struggle financially. This internship programme is designed to give these groups a boost in the work they are able to do and thus further increase their effectiveness.

"The programme is also about providing opportunities for people working in the public and private sector a chance to experience working life in a community organisation."

Ms Bradford will announce the new funding at the Te Aronga Hou Trust in Mangere, Auckland.

"I am delighted to be able to announce this new funding for community internships at this Trust which has already benefited from this programme. Last year the Trust had an intern for six months to conduct valuable research into adult and youth prostitution in the Counties-Manukau area.

"This research is enabling the Te Aronga Hou Trust to examine how they can better provide for this group."

Ms Bradford will meet with the manager and staff of the Trust to discuss both the community internship programme and the Prostitution Reform Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament.

"The Greens are thrilled with Government support for this initiative.

"As somebody who has worked extensively in the community sector I am personally delighted with this programme. The non-profit sector has a huge role to play in our communities and this funding is recognition of that," said Ms Bradford.

Ends

© Scoop Media