The work undertaken by Annah and the RAW project is not only making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable women, but their children and whanau.

The stories she shares have important messages for educators working with tamariki and their families.

Raising awareness is key to greater understanding of how we can support and make a difference.

I am in awe of Annahs commitment and passion in creating better life pathways for the women involved in RAW and we look forward to Annah continuing to share these messages wide and far.

Remuera Library asked Annah to speak to our Tuesday group in March 2020. We were blown away by Annah’s talk which was informative, interesting and thoughtful. She spoke with passion about RAW and our audience felt moved by her message of compassion and involvement.

We felt we had heard a very unique talk given by a speaker who easily commanded the stage and our attention.

I was completely blown away by the RAW presentations at the Rotorua Innovation Festival. The courageous truths shared by Annah and the RAW team allow us all to better understand how trauma is the gateway to addiction - how addiction often results from the need to block unresolved pain. Annah has so effectively leveraged her vast networks and skills to create sustainable, transformational impact for women who have been to prison. What was unexpected, was realising the positive impact she is also making for anyone choosing to engage with RAW.

Simply put: if we are willing to peel back the layers, RAW helps us improve our own human potential!

Today we hosted Annah, Gina and the team at the Rose Centre Theatre in Belmont, North Shore, as part of Ryman Healthcare’s community involvement. A big crowd turned out to hear about the work Annah does with her charitable trust, RAW. We were humbled to hear the incredible work they have done to improve the lives of recidivist women offenders on their release from prison. The feedback we received from the guests was outstanding and Annah and the teams interaction with the crowd was much appreciated. We strongly recommend her presentation to other groups, across all age groups and backgrounds. This fresh approach has the ability to touch all our lives and improve understanding of the social issues we have in this country.

Annah Stretton is an engaging, powerful and emotive speaker. As the opening keynote at the inaugural Rotorua Innovation Festival Taiopenga Auaha 2019, Annah gave a moving presentation on the importance of successful business owners and entrepreneurs using their personal brand, connections and commercial acumen to make a significant difference in the charitable sector. Annah went on to speak passionately about her founding of RAW, Kia Puawai, The Good Collective and her commitment to the Waikato Women’s Refuge. With Annah’s formation of RAW, it is clear that her drive to improve the lives of female offenders; particularly Maori who struggle on release, is formidable and the feedback we have received from festival attendees had Annah as one of the highest-rated speakers over the four days. As event organisers and professional speakers, we can’t speak highly enough of having Annah as part of Rotorua Taiopenga Auaha 2019. We would love to have Annah back at a future Firestation event.

Annah Stretton is one of the most powerful, challenging and inspiring guest speakers we have had. Students and staff sat absolutely riveted as she unpacked what RAW was about; for the whole presentation, no one moved, no one murmured. Annah’s story of transforming lives from poverty and crime to hope and a sense of purpose is awe inspiring; she shows what one person who really wants to make a difference is able to accomplish.

I saw Annah, Charlotte and Kylie speak today in Tauranga. You were all very busy afterwards but I wanted to thank you Annah for your amazing and inspiring work you are doing. My business partner and I talk all the time about giving back and what a lofty inspiration you provide for people like us. But most of all, I wanted to thank Charlotte and Kylie. Your bravery absolutely blew me away and the change you have made is such an inspiration for me. The ability to overcome adversity is such a skill. And you both have not only overcome it, you have smashed it. Thank you. Your stories will stay with me for a very long time.

On behalf of the Friendship Club of Glenview would you please pass on to Annah our thanks for the wonderful presentation she and the girls gave to us on Monday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed learning about RAW and the amazing support it gives to our disadvantaged and less fortunate young female population - what an innovation and passionate project to set up, we all applaud this initiative.

Max, Kylie and Charlotte gave us very moving accounts of their journeys in life - they deserve every success now after embracing Annah and her RAW team's programme. It's not easy to share your difficult past with a room full of strangers but they all spoke so well.

You are truly amazing with the work you are doing! I just wanted to let you know once again how thankful I was for being given the opportunity to speak to the young mums at Fraser, and for the opportunity to meet you and read your amazing book! I know your book has set the wheels in motion for changing my life, and hopefully the lives of many others through the work I intent to do! I will encourage everyone I meet to get a copy of it – it is something I know I will refer to over and over.

It was so lovely to get to work and see your email. I really enjoyed your presentation yesterday and have been thinking about it a lot. Mostly I have thinking about how culturally appropriate your model is. That’s one of the reasons you are getting the ladies to commit to the programme and why so many are successful. ‘You believe in them and value their thoughts, opinions and ideas. Some of them may not have had this before. The authenticity of the ladies sharing their own stories and hope took so much courage. These stories will have opened the eyes and hearts of many in the room. Celebrating their success will just give them more and more reasons to keep on going in the right direction. My thoughts yesterday came directly from my heart.

Thank you for believing. It really does make a difference.