Volunteer has provided a fun, safe place for West Auckland youth to gather
Showing respect, being cool and knowing your hip hop - that is how mum Stephanie Harawira has become a hit with youngsters in West Auckland.
The 42-year-old has been running a free community youth centre in Henderson for four years.
Working up to 18 hours a day, Mrs Harawira opens her doors each day to youngsters, providing a place to hang out, play various activities and learn hip hop.
She says it is vital that a community offers young people a fun and safe place to go.
"All I know is I have to open my doors - and people come in," she says.
"And every time they come in here, they become stronger. They're confident kids and happy to have a place to go to."
The Underground community centre is part of the Ezekiel 33 Trust - a not-for-profit organisation Mrs Harawira created to provide free events for young West Aucklanders.
The annual Ezeikel 33 Trust's Christmas in the Park, the Oceania Festival and up to five whanau days throughout the year are among the events Mrs Harawira runs.
Her sister Angela Cullen, who nominated her as an unsung hero, says Mrs Harawira is always going out of her way to help provide better facilities and events for youngsters.
"She doesn't get any funding, so she goes out door-knocking, applying for grants, going to council [and] community boards - she's very loud - all for these kids," Mrs Cullen says.
Hip hop crew Sweet and Sour, who won gold at last year's World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas, started as a group of local boys who performed at the whanau days, until Mrs Harawira rallied to get them to the championships.
Mrs Cullen said: "I still remember that - she came and asked for my car because she wanted to look flash, trying to get companies to sponsor those boys. And look at them now."
The centre also caters to those looking for budgeting advice and counselling.
It also has a Sunday church service, and a food bank is available.
Mrs Harawira says although each day is "full on," hard work and persistence is what gets the job done.
"When you're asked to come to a tangi where a 12-year-old has killed herself, that's it. You go in and help, you want to do something so you never have to go to one of those again," she says.
"I've just been trained to roll my sleeves up and do."
Nominate an unsung hero - click here
