Connecting with people and using her people skills to support whānau through listening and offering suggestions for different family member’s needs is Baylee’s passion. She also loves to include the family members who might not need direct support; whether it’s finding after school activities for the kids, driving someone to an appointment or just being a much-needed companion. Baylee is a strong believer in the phrase: “I can’t, but WE can” because, to her, supporting her community is all about teamwork.
Joining us from roles as a Housing Navigator and Youth Mentor, Baylee finished her Whānau Ora Navigation studies and dived headfirst into the work she is so passionate about.
Baylee loves the diversity of the role in being a Whānau Ora Navigator, encouraging whānau to seek solutions they can use to help make their home life that little bit easier. Thriving on a challenge, no task is too big or too small and Baylee will always put in 100% effort to achieve the desired outcome.
Watching people grow and face life head on is what gets her out of bed in the morning, knowing she’s turning up to support people who rely on her. Whakawhanaungatanga is important to Baylee, and she loves having the opportunity to connect with whānau as friends and paying respect to her elders.
Baylee’s takatāpui, her intersecting experiences of life as Māori and a gay woman, and her experience as a Youth Mentor allows Baylee unique skills to connect with Rainbow Youth, and other young people coming to terms with their identity; creating a safe, open and welcoming space for conversations as well as connections to groups and activities who can support rangatahi on their journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Baylee’s current life mantra is “Got to be comfortable with the uncomfortable” a reminder to stay engaged, to stay challenged and continue her path of growth. She’s always eager to learn from mistakes, and her past experience of overcoming drug use and addiction puts her in a position to support others through similar experiences and lean into the uncomfortable to come out in a better space, always trusting that people are capable of achieving whatever they put their mind to.
Some of Baylee’s favourite pastime activities include travel, sport, and occasionally binge watching The Umbrella Academy. Whilst she is full of phrases, “just chilling” isn’t known to Baylee as she’s always on the go and taking care of those around her.