Will you stand for life, and #EndYouthHomelessness?: An open letter to Pastors and church leaders

(I've written this directed to the faith community I identify with, however if you would like to use this as a template and send this to leaders with your own faith community, please feel free to edit and share)

Kia ora Pastors and church leaders,

I'm writing to you today about an important issue facing our nation.

The crisis of youth homelessness.

In the 2013 census it was estimated that over half our homeless population was made up of young people. Yet, even with this knowledge our country has no strategy to address youth homelessness, and has invested no serious resource into solving this extremely urgent and important issue.

As a result, we are in a situation where young people are forced to live on our streets, under bridges, in cars, and in dangerous and unfit living environments, simply because we have failed to provide for their needs.

If urgent action is not taken by our government and our nation, we will lose another generation to the streets.

But, youth homelessness is an issue that can be solved. What is lacking is the political will to do so.

That is why Manaaki Rangatahi (a collective of community organizations who have united to End Youth Homelessness) is petitioning the government to end Youth Homelessness.

Our hope is that we can send a clear message to our government that we value the lives of our young people, and that we as a people want decisive and urgent action to put a stop to the abuse and neglect of our rangatahi.

And this is why I am reaching out to you today.

As people of faith, and followers of the Way of Jesus, one of our chief responsibilities is to Love our God by standing with and for the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed.

We are invited to be a voice for those without one, and to be the hands and feet of the God we serve.

The church has an important role in society advocating for the lives of the vulnerable and oppressed. The support and solidarity of your community, could go a long way in ending this injustice in our nation.

How you can help:

*Sign our petition and share it with your community and on your social media pages, in your newsletter, or in your mailing list

*Encourage your people to sign and share our petition with their network's

*Talk about youth homelessness at your church gathering, or invite a member of Manaaki Rangatahi to speak at your church, on zoom, or on your podcast

*Think about how your community can help to support local organisations working to address Youth Homelessness

*Start a conversation about how your faith community can look after young people experiencing homelessness in your community.

*Put out a press statement on behalf of your church community calling on the government to act urgently to address this crisis

*Ring, email, and petition the prime minister and your local MPs. Ask them to use their influence to stand for the lives of our rangatahi

The Christian tradition has a long history fighting for the needs and human rights of the most vulnerable in our society. Will you join Manaaki Rangatahi in standing for Life, and advocating for the lives of our rangatahi?

Further resources:

You can find the petition here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/end-youth-homelessness

Manaaki Rangatahi press statement: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2005/S00274/petition-to-end-youth-homelessness.htm

A young person shares their experience: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018753196/where-s-the-housing-for-young-people-sleeping-rough

Ending Youth Homelessness article: https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-social-issues/nz-ending-homelessness-starts-with-helping-young-people

If you would like to talk about this further, I'd be more than happy to speak with you.

Nga mihi,

Aaron Hendry