Clint’s day job is Venues Catering Manager at Sky Stadium and it was when he was dining out in the city he recognised that young people become very vulnerable if they find
themselves in the city at night without support. So, in 2016 he and a group of friends began conversations around creating a safe space where people could charge their phone, be
given water (so they could make good decisions) and be supported to get home safely.
themselves in the city at night without support. So, in 2016 he and a group of friends began conversations around creating a safe space where people could charge their phone, be
given water (so they could make good decisions) and be supported to get home safely.
We have had many extraordinary speakers share their stories with our Club, and this week’s speaker was no exception. Clint Schoultz is the Chair of the Wellington based Take 10
Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust. The Trust and its volunteers are instrumental in the success of four programmes: Take 10 – providing a late-night safe zone on Courtney Place;
Do Some Good - providing lunches for over 4000 children each day; Take 10 Arvo’s - providing a space and after school activities for children who need it and Generation Link,
connecting children with seniors to do activities together to create a win-win.
Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust. The Trust and its volunteers are instrumental in the success of four programmes: Take 10 – providing a late-night safe zone on Courtney Place;
Do Some Good - providing lunches for over 4000 children each day; Take 10 Arvo’s - providing a space and after school activities for children who need it and Generation Link,
connecting children with seniors to do activities together to create a win-win.
Within 18 months they launched a 6 week trial creating their safe zone in Courtney Place on Friday and Saturday nights. Seven years on they are still there, having thousands come
through their zone.
The Trust fund-raised to buy a van which they imported from the UK and had it custom fitted with water carrying capacity, a generator (for phone charging) and a first aid area.
Over the years, volunteers have seen changes in the age of those seeking support. In 2017 they were working primarily with 18 year olds. Now they see young ones as young as 9-17 in
the city at night and their role has changed from just providing water and sweets to now providing a caring connection.
The Do Some Good arm of their operation came out of Clint becoming aware of children in his community going to school hungry. He had come from Zimbabwe, where children were
often hungry but he didn’t expect to see this in New Zealand. But when he found that there were children hungry, his solution was to provide the school with equipment and food – and
the older children make breakfast and lunches for the younger ones. Once they had a foot in the school door, they expanded the programme with volunteers being paired with children
to help with projects such as building a garden or for after school care.
Two recurring themes of Clint’s talk were the ripple effect and connection. If they can support just one person to feel more connected this will have a positive ripple effect on
others. Their website is really worth a visit https://vsctrust.org.nz/take10/
Brenda Lazelle