|
I hope this finds you and all those that you care about safe and well. When I look back on 2020, it is hard to believe that it has only been about eight months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For me, the necessity to be constantly aware of the need to protect myself and others has changed many of my normal routines, and the impact on our communities is evident whenever I am out running errands. Even without COVID-19, 2020 would have been a remarkable year for Hale Kipa. It included our 50th Anniversary celebration, and the creation of a new logo that is appropriate for the location of our new campus on Old Fort Weaver Road.
The year also included the Grand Opening and occupancy of the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Youth Services Center, and we had our first ever fundraiser, the Pā`ina. Within days of our Grand Opening, COVID-19 sent the state into a sheltering-in-place model. The agency was faced immediately with converting a portion of our services to tele-health, although a number of our core services remained open and have been throughout the pandemic. These services include Emergency Shelter, Hale Lanipōlua Assessment Center, YO!, and our Transitional Living Program.
It is a testimony to the flexibility of not only the organization, but to our staff, that we were able to mobilize rapidly and adapt to an extraordinary set of events and circumstances. It is important to acknowledge our staff’s tremendous efforts to stay connected to the youth, young adults, and families that we are privileged to serve. But that was not without a sense of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. When the pandemic began, none of us had any idea what to expect, although it was clear that it was no longer “business as usual”. What follows are the thoughts and feelings of some of the staff members about the past year, and their reflections of what that experience has been like, not only for them, but the agency as a whole. As always, our staff is our most valuable resource, and we sincerely appreciate everything they did, have done, and will do to assure that our vulnerable, often disenfranchised, and marginalized population continues to receive services during these critical times.
|
|
|
Hale Kipa Staff Speak Out About their Experiences During the Pandemic
|
|
2020 was a momentous year for Hale Kipa. We celebrated our 50th anniversary, refreshed our look, and moved into our long-awaited new headquarters in Ewa. We had only just unpacked our desks when Covid-19 sent the state into a lockdown. Nevertheless, our staff found ways to adapt so they could continue to serve Oahu’s at-risk youth and their families.
We asked our employees about their experiences and how the pandemic changed their approach to serving this vulnerable population. /More
|
|
|
Hale Kipa and City & County of Honolulu Observe National Runaway Prevention Month
Earlier this month, a luminous Honolulu Hale, awash in green light, ushered in this year’s National Prevention Month (NRPM) here on Oahu.
Too often, the estimated 4.2 million people ages 13-25 (or a staggering 1 in 10 youth ages 18-25 and 1 in 30 youth between the ages of 13 and 17) who endure some form of homelessness every year in the United States remain hidden in the shadows, invisible to most of us.
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS), a top resource for the nation’s runaway youth and their families, created the NRPM in 2002 to “Shine a Light” on homeless teens, young adults, and their families.
The greenlights at Honolulu Hale are a result of a partnership between Hale Kipa and the City & County of Honolulu to observe NRPM. The Mayor’s office also issued a proclamation in support of NRPM. In recognition of NRPM, NRS encourages municipalities and organizations across the country to display green lights as symbols of hope. /More
|
|
|
Zachary McNish Returns to Hale Kipa's Board of Directors
Hale Kipa is pleased to welcome back Zachary McNish as a member of its board of directors. A board member from 2013-2017, McNish is entering his fifth year of service with his return to the board.
“Hale Kipa is a great organization with a crucial mission,” said McNish, general counsel of American Piping & Boiler Co. and principal attorney of McNish Law. “I am proud to contribute to a nonprofit with such a positive combination of amazing work and a very talented board and staff to undertake that effort.”
McNish, who was born and raised on Maui and graduated from Seabury Hall school in Makawao, brings 14 years of law experience to the board. He received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a law degree from Duke University. He previously served as an executive committee member for the Sierra Club of Hawai’i and co-founded and served as a board member of Native Future, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Wounaan indigenous people of Panama obtain legal title to their traditional lands. In 2014, he was named “Twenty for the Next 20” by Hawai’i Magazine and in 2013, he was named one of “Forty Under 40” by Pacific Business News. He lives on Maui.
|
|
|
Hale Kipa Presents Staff Service Awards Via Zoom
|
|
|
Hale Kipa recognized staff anniversaries on October 30th with an online Zoom presentation. /More
|
|
Local Artist Creates a Bold, Inviting Mural at Hale Lanipōlua
A vibrant mural now welcomes visitors to Hale Kipa’s Hale Lanipōlua Assessment center, a safe haven for youth who are victims/survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Kim Sielbeck, a Honolulu-based illustrator, designed and painted the mural in her trademark vivid shades and bold style. The 7 by 8-foot painting, visible as soon as one ascends the front steps, is an inviting frenzy of lush greenery, plumerias and red ginger flowers in hues of hot pink, green, turquoise, and royal blue with splashes of orange and red. Sielbeck also painted a 7 by 12-foot mural on the interior side of the doors in geometric shapes and similar distinctive colors. It took her two days to paint the two murals. /More
|
|
|
You Can Support Hale Kipa on Giving Tuesday and Beyond!
Give Big Hawai‘i is helping to raise money for local nonprofits through a single online donation platform, providing a simple way to connect donors to the charitable causes they care about most. This 24-hour online fundraising effort, hosted by HONOLULU Magazine in conjunction with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and local sponsors, offers nonprofits the chance to raise funds to support their mission. Official giving period is Nov. 23 - Dec. 31, 2020. /Donate
|
|
Mahalo to Our Generous Donors
Mahalo to our generous donors, who have made helping Hawaii’s youth and young adults a priority, regardless of where they reside. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity. Your gift helps us provide vital services to hundreds of youth and families each year. Gifts from the following donors were made in July, August, September, and October:
Monetary gifts: Aaron Masuoka • Abby Madrid Shaw • Adriane Aarona • Aiea United Methodist Church • Akakona Corp. • Albert Chong Associates • Aloha United Way • Aubrey Watts • Bank of Hawaii • Ben Godsey • Big Island Delights • Bil & Anne Aulenbach • Carley Shaw • Cassandra Ohelo • Christy Sato • Cindy Hernandez • Clair Johnson • Collette & Kyle Cabrera • Darryl Yonezawa • Daryl Nekoba • David Silva • Diane VanderZanden • Doug & Gale McNish • Elena Fragas • Emmanuel Episcopal Church • Erin Wright • First Unitarian Church of Honolulu • Heidi Jancek • Heidi Rian • J Watumull • John Campbell • Joshua Ho • Judy Pyle & Wayne Pitluck • Justin Goshi • Kaimas Foundation • Kathleen Chapman • Katie Bennett • Kauai United Way • Kellie Hines • Kelly Churchill • Kimberly Martin • Laura Brucia Hamm & Joshua Hamm • Laurel & Alex Salinas-Nakanishi • Lawrence Dill • Lawrence Okinaga • Leslie Ringette • Letitia Bailey • Linda Tolmie • Marisa Kent • Marisla Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation • Marli Arneson • Maureen Ballard • Michael Akana • Mike & Carol Chung • Mila Hamm • Momi Cazimero • Murray & Linley Chapman • NFL Foundation • Padmani Brown and David Luedtke Charitable Fund • Pamela Funai • Preston & Mary Ann Lentz • Robert Sotelo • Ross Stores Foundation • Ruth Ishida • Scott Seu and Carrie Okinaga • Seiki & Judy Ifuku • Steven Oppenheimer • The Omidya Group • Thomas Kaulukukui, Jr. • UnitedHealthcare • University Health Alliance • USAA • Vanessa Soriano • Victoria Ikeda • Violet & Vivian Fund • Waiokeola Congregational Church • Woman's Board of Missions • Anonymous
In-kind gifts: Arma Oana • Big Island Delight • Corinne Agbunag • Karan Watase • Lee Lacerdo • Robert Brennan • Ruth Shima • Theresa Haas • Wendi Kamiya • Anonymous
It's easy to support Hawaii’s youth and young adults through Hale Kipa.
Set up automatic monthly gifts by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
