Page 6 - MidWeek - Feb 10, 2021

6 MIDWEEK FEBRUARY 10, 2021
PROOF POSITIVE
Fostering A Sense Of Community
COVID-19 Testing
Swab and Send Drive-Thru Testing Sites
Schedule an appointment by visiting
OPEN 7 days a week by appointment only
Available at no-cost for people with and without health insurance coverage
www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/ covid-19-testing
or thru our CVS App
H I H.O.P.E.S. celebrates 10 years of life-changing legislation, fi- nancial literacy and living a legacy. The mission of the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Boards (ages 14-26) on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island is to educate, advocate and collaborate for improvements in the foster care system, improving access to education, employ- ment, health care, housing, family rela-
Legislation is an integral part of the HI H.O.P.E.S. initiative. Former youth leadership board members take pride in knowing that generations of foster youth will reap the benefits of their advocacy. In collaboration with state Department of Human Services’ Child Welfare Ser- vices and Family Court, the youth board succeeded in passing three life-changing legislative bills.
By Delia Ulima, statewide initiative manager of EPIC ‘Ohana’s HI H.O.P.E.S.
tionships and financial stability.
Keola was in and out of foster care. He joined the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leader- ship Board in Hilo in 2011 and served for six years. During that time, he advocat- ed for several bills that became law and was a congressional intern in Washing- ton, D.C. Keola wrote a white paper for protecting the rights of children in foster care. He went on to earn his master’s in social work and now is a child welfare
HI H.O.P.E.S. met with Gov. David Ige and helped pass important legislation related to foster care. PHOTOS COURTESY HI H.O.P.E.S.
HI H.O.P.E.S. is funded by state con- tracts, private grants and supported by partners such as Bank of Hawai‘i. Match monies are provided by private local funders with major support from Victo- ria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation and Hawai‘i Community Foundation. To learn more or to donate, visit hihopes.org or call 285-5225.
Licensed & Bonded BC-16446
services social worker.
HI H.O.P.E.S. offers financial literacy training to foster youth. Upon comple- tion, participants open accounts at Bank of Hawai‘i, which are seeded with $140. Eligible for a $1 for $1 match and up to a $3,000 lifetime match, in the past 10 years, more than 800 youth have partici- pated and made asset purchases (vehicles, housing deposits, education and/or busi- ness startups) totaling over $1.2 million. Keola used matching funds to purchase a vehicle and pay for his education.
OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Your Project is Our Business
Design Build Contractor
Custom Kitchens + Bath
Renovations + Additions
Exterior Siding Installation + Repair
ADA-friendly and compliant bathrooms
CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION (808) 478-6718
E
:c
Em
ma
a
i
i
l
l
:
ce
e
b
b8
80
0
8
8@
@
g
g
m
ma
a
i
il
l.c
c
o
o
m
m
www.cuttingedgebuildershawaii.com Lic. BC-34038
SATURDAY MARCH 6 9-11 am Register at GrahamBuilders.com or 593-2808
HOME FINANCING OPTIONS GET FAMILIAR WITH:
• FHA LOANS
• CONVENTIONAL LOANS • USDA LOANS & MORE!
Wednesday, February 17th 6:00pm - 7:30pm
To register call (808) 224-5767 or visit: AlignedMortgage.com
RACHEL WILLIS, NMLS #1844650 AlignedMortgageHI Branch Manager
94-539 PUAHI STREET | WAIPIO, HI 96797 BRANCH NMLS # 1696573 ALIGNEDMORTGAGE.COM
A DIVISION OF AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION NMLS #1850
FREE SEMINAR
• Design and Build • Where to Start
• Multi-generational • Financing
Celebrating
our 31st Anniversary!
MAHALO and STAY SAFE HAWAII