Fighting for Kāpiti youth for the last 25 years, Kāpiti Youth Support have been recognised for the work they're doing after being named as a finalist in the Kāpiti and Horowhenua Electra Business and Innovation Awards.
"Obviously we were thrilled, but also very humbled to be a finalist," KYS chief executive Raechel Osborne said.
"It's great to be acknowledged and recognised as a local organisation that has been deemed worthy to be a finalist."
Kāpiti Youth Support chief executive Raechel Osborne.
KYS is a professional organisation providing free health and wellbeing services to around 67 per cent of the youth population in Kāpiti.
Operating for the last 25 years, the constantly growing and adapting organisation is one of the largest providers of community services in Kāpiti.
"We're passionate about supporting rangatahi and believe that creating positive, well-supported journeys into adulthood builds a foundation of strong, confident contributors for our community," Raechel said.
"Demonstrating that we are a professional, dynamic organisation within the business community helps to ensure the long term sustainability of KYS, creating positive outcomes for not only rangatahi but their families, whanau and the wider community."
The Kāpiti and Horowhenua Electra Business & Innovation Awards finalists have been announced.
This is not the first time KYS have been finalists, they won the small business of the year at the same awards in 2008.
Raechel said as a small organisation they are constantly reflecting on ways to improve their services and programmes to ensure they are providing the best possible care for rangatahi in Kāpiti.
"It's also really encouraging for staff to know that the hard work and passion they bring to their roles is recognised in this way."
KYS is an NGO focused on providing high quality free health and wellbeing services for rangatahi, using best practice and business principles.
"As part of our commitment to these standards we wanted an opportunity to be measured against them, so as to show we are an effective and efficient organisation within our community and amongst our peers."
But being a charity also has its challenges.
"Chief among them is funding, so for KYS to be sustainable we need to keep our profile top of mind in the community."
Due to Covid-19 lockdowns the Electra Business and Innovation Awards Night will now be held on November 5 at Southwards Car Museum.
