My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been in this state since 2000, and have worked with Social Service Department in the welfare to work program as well with HUD and the housing initiative to end homelessness in the state of Hawaii. I have been working with several different agencies to try to help my clients and ran into Project Hawai’i, Inc. a few years ago. Although I am involved with over 100 cases of welfare to work and homeless families, this agency had never crossed my desk or put in a resource brochure. I decided to investigate what Project Hawai’i, Inc. was up to, who is running this program, what actually happens. I was shocked!! Absolutely shocked.
The first attempt to see if they were really interested in helping any homeless family with limited papers or requirements that are typically needed. I called the outreach number and left my name as a social worker with a few families who were struggling and had no basic needs for their children. I got a call back the next day and the woman asked where she could bring the items the children needed. She didn't even ask to see the children, or get into the business of the family. Once she arrived at my office with a truck load of items for the children and mom, including a tent and camp stove, she asked if there was anything else they needed and would love to add this family to their list.
The second time I contacted them a few of our moms did not qualify for the other agency Christmas list because they didn't have the proper paperwork. In addition, they had missed the deadline back in October. I want to say that unfortunately the sad fact is that homeless moms don't have their act together enough to find support in October for Christmas. They hardly can see past tomorrow. Once again a woman returned my call, got all the children's names and ages, what they needed and a few weeks later all the items were delivered to office wrapped and signed "Santa". Again, this agency didn't dwell on what the moms lacked, and just wanted to care for the children.
So, once again I connected with Project Hawai’i, Inc. to see if they had resources for the summer programs for children who had missed so much school, were failing in all course and just needed that extra attention. The other summer programs were not able to accept them because of the behavior reports from school. Again, Project Hawai’i, Inc. stepped forward took the kids, (all 9 of them) and never asked for anything in return.
As a long time social worker, I have never met or seen any organization with the passion to care for children and dedicate their lives to help those in need. I am a social worker. I work 9a-4:30p. I look through cases, listen to all the reasons the clients "can't". I file reports, I have meetings, I sit on a board, I work with the state and county and have never seen any form of this passion from anyone. I do know that everyone does their job to their best ability. It is that a job, not a lifestyle, not a passion, but a paycheck that in return allows me and others like to make a living while trying to help others in the system. Project Hawai’i, Inc. is different. They are not paid, not government employees, they don't work 9a-5p, they work all the time , any day, any time and want nothing in return.
If you are not familiar with this agency, please research them yourself. See first hand what they are doing in the community and how many lives they impact.
I am grateful they are in my community and I have the opportunity to work with them.