Aaron and Cindy are fierce advocates who work closely with rangatahi in precarious and difficult environments such as homelessness. They will speak about the state of rangatahi homelessness and resilience in Aotearoa. They will also speak to the importance of good government policy in addressing youth homelessness and creative youth-led solutions.
Aaron is a staunch advocate for ‘rangatahi and people experiencing homelessness’ and has served rangatahi for more than a decade, caring for those without shelter. He currently leads ‘Kick Back’ a youth development and social justice organisation focused on responding to youth homelessness.
Cindy (Ngaruahinerangi me Rangitane o Wairarapa ) works for E Tipu E Rea Whānau Services, which was founded after a successful teen parent project at Auckland Women’s Centre. Originally established as Thrive in 2011, the service supports and empowers teen parents in West and Central Auckland.
With over 20 years in social services, primarily in Domestic Violence, Cindy champions whānau-led approaches and the need for a Te Ao Māori framework for lasting change. She holds a Lifetime Collective membership with Nelson Women’s and Children’s Refuge and serves on a local Community Project board. Her greatest passion is her whānau.
