Unseen Heroes is launching a crucial crowdfunding campaign from October 1 to October 31, 2024, and we need your heart and support to make a difference. Over the past year, the Te Ara Marama programme, supported by Te Puni Kōkiri, has provided invaluable assistance to 45 young carers from November 2023 to June 2024. Thanks to the generosity of philanthropic trusts and dedicated services, we were able to extend our support to 35 new young carers from July 2024 to December 2024. However, due to reduced funding and unsuccessful grant applications, we face a heartbreaking reality: without this critical support, these young carers would continue to remain unseen and unheard.

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The story of these young carers is both poignant and urgent. Many of them are shouldering immense responsibilities, caring for family members with disabilities, illnesses, and mental health challenges. They navigate these responsibilities while grappling with their own emotional well-being—a journey that doesn't pause with the end of a funding cycle.

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Unseen Heroes had hopes of securing government funding to continue this vital support into 2025. Yet, in a disheartening turn of events, the government has shifted priorities, leaving the future of this essential support uncertain. Both co-founders of Unseen Heroes were deeply disheartened by this news, acutely aware of the profound mental health challenges these young carers face—a reality that often shadows them well into adulthood. As one co-founder poignantly asked, “If we don’t help, then what happens to them?”

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While the Te Ara Marama programme was initially funded for six-month intakes, the ongoing needs of these young carers are far more complex and require sustained support. Our holistic healer and mentor are vital in helping them maintain mental well-being, balance their caring responsibilities, and thrive despite their challenges.

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In the face of dwindling government support, we turn to our communities for help. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to ensure we can continue to support these young carers and reach new ones who need our assistance. We believe that if we can mobilize 50,000 people to contribute just $10 each, we can achieve our goal and make a lasting impact.

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Your donation will help us:

• Identify Young Carers: Locate and connect with those who need our support.

• Provide Mental Health Support: Offer essential counseling and mental health services.

• Engage with Schools: Collaborate with educational institutions to identify and assist young carers.

• Offer Tutoring: Provide academic support to help them succeed in their education.

• Help Them Achieve Their Dreams: Assist with career guidance and opportunities for their future.

• Conduct Research: Gather data to advocate for ongoing government support and secure future funding.

 

Join us in ensuring that these young heroes receive the support they desperately need and deserve. Your contribution will help them continue their journey with hope and resilience. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and pave the way for a brighter future.