Project Hawaii Inc

"EMPOWERING HAWAI'I'S HOMELESS CHILDREN TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, ANDLIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES." OUR VISION: "A FUTURE WHERE EVERY HOMELESS CHILD IN HAWAI'I HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED, THRIVE, AND REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL." OUR MISSION IS THE ENHANCE THE LIVES OF HOMELESS AND POVERTY STRICKEN CHILDREN, HELPING THEM TO ESCAPE THEIR CYCLE OF POVERTY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES YEAR ROUND ON THE ISLANDS OF HAWAI'I, O'AHU AND MAUI. OUR AGENCY IS SOLELY STAFFED 100% BY VOLUNTEERS AND SOLELY SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC DONATIONS. OUR TEAM IS DEDICATED TO SEEKING OUT THE HIDDEN AND FORGOTTEN UNSHELTERED CHILDREN ACROSS THE ISLANDS TO PROVIDE MONTHLY CARE, HOLIDAY EVENTS, SCHOOL SUPPORT AND SUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE ALSO PROVIDE ONGOING WORKSHOPS THAT HELP THE CHILDREN DEVELOP WITH A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE, SUCH AS OUR MOMMY AND ME PROGRAM, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS. WE ARE OPENING A DORMITORY ON BIG ISLAND FOR HOMELESS

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: SUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN ITS 19TH YEAR, OUR SUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HAS CONTINUED TO GROW AND EVOLVE, MAKING A LASTING IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF HAWAI'I'S HOMELESS CHILDREN. THIS YEAR, WE EXPANDED OUR JR. LEADER PROGRAM INTO A FULL-TIME SUMMER INITIATIVE, ADDING AN EXTRA WEEK OF PROGRAMMING AND INCORPORATING MORE LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE GROWING THIS PROGRAM BY ADDING EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEM, AND MORE. FOR MANY OF OUR CHILDREN, THIS MAY BE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME LEARNING EXPERIENCE, LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THE EXPANSION OF OUR TEEN WEEK, WHICH INCLUDED A SPECIAL ALL BOYS WEEKEND. THIS EVENT WAS DESIGNED FOR TEENS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY GRADUATED FROM OUR PROGRAM AND ARE NOW ON A PATH TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THESE TEENS RETURNED AS MENTORS TO THE YOUNGER CHILDREN, SHARING THEIR PERSONAL STORIES AND EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROGRAM IN SHAPING THEIR LIVES. THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN CULTURAL LEARNING, LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS, AND TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES, CULMINATING IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MENTOR YOUNGER CHILDREN AT OUR EDU-CAMP SLEEPOVER CAMP ON THE BIG ISLAND. THE EDU-CAMP OFFERS CHILDREN AGES 3-7 A BREAK FROM THE HARDSHIPS OF HOMELESSNESS, IMMERSING THEM IN LIFE AND SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING. THIS IMMERSIVE, SLEEPOVER EXPERIENCE ALSO ENABLES THE WIDER COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED, OFFERING THEIR TALENTS AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES LIKE ART, CULTURE, YOGA, THEATER, MUSIC, READING, AND MORE. IN ADDITION TO FUN AND EDUCATION, WE PROVIDE EYE AND ORAL EXAMS, ENSURING THE CHILDREN'S OVERALL WELL-BEING. OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO FOSTER SELF-ESTEEM AND EQUIP THEM WITH LIFE SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY. MEANWHILE, ON O'AHU, OUR ADVENTURES ABOUND DAY CAMP PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF THEIR ISLAND. IN ITS 15TH YEAR, THIS DAY CAMP TAKES CHILDREN ON EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS TO PLACES LIKE THE ZOO, AQUARIUM, AND DISCOVERY ZONES. HERE, CHILDREN ALSO LEARN FUNDAMENTAL LIFE AND SOCIAL SKILLS NECESSARY TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL. VOLUNTEERS PICK UP THE HOMELESS CHILDREN EACH MORNING, ENSURING THEY ARE FED, PAIRED WITH THEIR TEEN MENTORS, AND READY FOR A DAY FULL OF EXPLORATION AND LEARNING. AT THE END OF BOTH CAMPS, EVERY CHILD RECEIVES A NEW BACKPACK FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND A NEW OUTFIT TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT. OUR CAMP REMAINS ENTIRELY FREE FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7, JR. LEADERS AGES 10-12, AND TEENS IN HIGH SCHOOL. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING NOT JUST EDUCATIONAL AND LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES BUT ALSO NUTRITIOUS, ORGANIC, AND LOCALLY-SOURCED MEALS AND SNACKS. DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT THE CHILDREN'S BODIES AND MINDS ARE NOURISHED WITH HEALTHY CHOICES, ALLOWING THEM TO DETOX FROM THE STRESS AND UNHEALTHY DIETS ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS. OUR CAMP ALSO PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR FIRST-TO-WORK MOMS, ALLOWING THEM TO WORK ALONGSIDE THEIR CHILDREN WHILE RECEIVING TRAINING AND COMPLETING THE REQUIRED WORK HOURS FOR THEIR PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, WE WELCOME UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE AS INTERNS, OFFERING THEM THE CHANCE TO GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THEIR FIELDS. TYPICALLY, OUR CAMP HOSTS 2 INTERNS AND 3-5 FIRST-TO-WORK PARENTS EACH YEAR. THIS YEAR, OUR TEAM ALSO ATTENDED A SELF-HEALING TRAINING CONFERENCE, WHICH EQUIPPED US WITH MORE TOOLS TO TEACH TEENS ABOUT HEALTHY LIFE SKILLS. AS PART OF OUR NEW SPIRIT OF INNER BEAUTY TEEN PROGRAM, WE EMPHASIZE HEALING FROM WITHIN, ALIGNING WITH OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE "SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE" IN ALL WE DO.

DORMITORY PROJECT BUILD WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE ONGOING REHABILITATION OF OUR DORMITORY PROJECT, SET TO OPEN IN AUGUST 2025. THIS FULL RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE 12 YOUNG WOMEN THE CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS WHILE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AND THEIR DREAMS. CURRENTLY IN THE RECONSTRUCTION PHASE, THE DORMITORY IS ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION IN TIME FOR THE FALL SEMESTER OF 2025. THIS INITIATIVE REPRESENTS A LEGACY PROGRAM, ONE THAT WILL REDEFINE THE FUTURE OF HOMELESSNESS ON OUR ISLANDS. AS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, IT AIMS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THESE YOUNG WOMEN WERE BORN INTO, OFFERING THEM A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO THRIVE. THIS DORMITORY WILL ALSO SERVE AS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS AGING OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, GIVING THEM A STABLE AND NURTURING PLACE TO TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD. WHEN THE DORMITORY OPENS, IT WILL OFFER MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO LIVE-IT WILL BE A FOUNDATION FOR THESE YOUNG WOMEN TO DEVELOP THE LIFE AND SOCIAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS BEYOND COLLEGE. OUR COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON LEADERSHIP, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND COPING STRATEGIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PARTICIPANTS BUILD RESILIENCE AND CONFIDENCE. ROOTED IN HAWAIIAN VALUES AND CULTURE, OUR CURRICULUM INCORPORATES FULL-TIME COUNSELING, ONE-ON-ONE LIFE COACHING, AND A WIDE RANGE OF VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS WITH SUCCESSFUL WOMEN FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THESE SESSIONS PROVIDE REAL-WORLD INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATION, ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE, DISCOVER THEIR PURPOSE, AND CULTIVATE A SENSE OF DIRECTION IN LIFE. BY BLENDING CULTURAL EDUCATION WITH PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS, THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP THESE YOUNG WOMEN BECOME EMPOWERED LEADERS WHO ARE EQUIPPED TO BREAK FREE FROM THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

OUTREACH AND AWARENESS PROGRAM OUR OUTREACH AND AWARENESS PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO REACHING THE MOST VULNERABLE AND ISOLATED AREAS ACROSS THE ISLANDS OF MAUI, OAHU, AND THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I. THIS YEAR-ROUND EFFORT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN SERVING THE HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SUPPORT, ENSURING THEIR MOST IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE MET. THROUGHOUT THE MONTH, OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS VISIT VARIOUS HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, IDENTIFYING NEW FAMILIES IN NEED AND MAINTAINING CONNECTIONS WITH THOSE ALREADY ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAMS. WE PROVIDE MONTHLY HYGIENE AND FOOD PACKAGES, AS WELL AS CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL LIFE NECESSITIES ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE. IN URGENT SITUATIONS, WE OFFER EMERGENCY CARE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY BECOME HOMELESS OR EXPERIENCED DISRUPTIONS IN THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING TENTS, COOK STOVES, SLEEPING BAGS, PILLOWS, CLOTHING, FOOD, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS DURING OUTREACH IS TO MEET THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD WE ENCOUNTER, OFFERING THEM A SENSE OF STABILITY AND CARE IN THE MIDST OF THEIR CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES. HOWEVER, WE FACE CHALLENGES DUE TO LIMITED STORAGE, WHICH HAS RESTRICTED THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLIES WE CAN KEEP ON HAND. ADDITIONALLY, FREQUENT STATE-MANDATED CLEAN SWEEPS OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIPS FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. MANY LOSE THEIR POSSESSIONS, AND WE WORK TIRELESSLY TO HELP THEM RE-ESTABLISH THEIR LIVING SITUATIONS AND REPLACE WHAT WAS LOST. TO BETTER SERVE THESE FAMILIES IN SUCH DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, WE'VE ADAPTED OUR APPROACH BY OFFERING HYGIENE GIFT CARDS AND MEAL CARDS INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL FOOD BOXES. THIS ALLOWS FAMILIES MORE FLEXIBILITY AND LIGHTENS THEIR LOAD AS THEY NAVIGATE THE UNCERTAINTY OF HOMELESSNESS. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO FUNDING CONSTRAINTS, WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY OUTREACH SERVICES DURING OUR SUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND CHRISTMAS PERIODS. DESPITE THESE LIMITATIONS, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN ACROSS THE ISLANDS: 225 CHILDREN ON MAUI, 988 ON THE BIG ISLAND, AND 435 ON OAHU.