ONE OF Canberra’s biggest arts success stories is faced with a race against time to keep going.

Since its inception in 2002, ‘Kulture Break’ has become a major community service provider in combatting youth issues in health, well-being, education and social inclusion.

Within its program, activities range from dance classes, mentoring, leadership development and social skilling programs to motivational workshops across educational institutions, engaging with over 400,000 young people in schools and communities across the world.

CEO and founder Francis Owusu, ACT ‘Local Hero’ in 2013, says  the situation is now at breaking point, yet Kulture Break provides a social support network that meets the needs of each individual to provide greater well-being, transformation and empowerment.

The charity’s message of “You are somebody, he says,” resonates with its 8,000 programs participants but increasing financial pressures have, however, placed considerable restraints on the community programs and the subsidised costing model is threating the sustainability of the organisation.

“Despite the concerted effort and commitment from all members and volunteers, the program is in need of extensive support to ensure that it can keep providing its services,” Owusu said.

“Kulture Break will embark on a fundraising campaign over the coming months in the hope that it will raise enough funds to continue its work in 2017 and beyond. The launch will focus on donations from both individuals and business,” he says.

“We are calling on the ACT Government to assist us as the folding of Kulture Break would be a devastating outcome,” Owusu said.

For more information on Kulture Break kulturebreak.com