Simpson Grierson Helps Youthline
For release: 3rd February 2010
SIMPSON GRIERSON HELPS YOUTHLINE DEAL WITH TEXT INFLUX
A significant donation from Simpson Grierson will play a key role in helping Youthline respond to a surge of calls for help and advice, arriving via SMS text messaging.
Simpson Grierson partner, Greg Towers, handed over a cheque for $25,000 to the youth development agency’s CEO, Stephen Bell, during a brief ceremony last week at the law firm’s Auckland offices.
“By any standards, Simpson Grierson is making a hugely generous contribution to our work. This is the fifth year running that they have provided us with a donation of this magnitude and it’s never been more needed, as the introduction of our free text helpline has given a considerable boost to the numbers of young people turning to us for help and advice,” says Mr Bell.
“We experienced a 50 percent increase in the number of text messages received over the 2009 Christmas holiday, as compared to the same period in 2008, whilst more than 200,000 texts reached us during 2009 as a whole. At the same time, there’s been no let up in the numbers contacting us through telephone or email,” he says.
Stephen Bell describes Youthline’s flagship helpline as typically just the start of a process whereby the organisation wraps services around young people, allowing them to continue along pathways that help build confidence and connectedness.
“Last year , we organised over 50 youth development programmes , as well as providing a vast range of counselling services , seminars, social enterprise activities and outreach services, which were accessed by many thousands across New Zealand.
“Youthline’s approach can make a crucial difference in young people’s lives, often helping them move away from depression, despair or self-destructive behaviour towards a sense of purpose, achievement, self-worth and involvement with the community,” he says.
“Charitable donations make a huge difference in our ability to work with young people and their families. We could not continue to meet the demand without the help of generous and socially responsible supporters, such as Simpson Grierson. We are very grateful indeed for their continued backing,” Mr Bell adds.
For further information, please contact:
Stephen Bell
CEO
Youthline
09 361 4166 (DDI)
027 271 8151
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it