Page 25 - MidWeek - May 26, 2021

PROOF POSITIVE
50 Years Of Serving Keiki
By Mary Monohon, president of Assistance League of Hawai‘i
DIAMOND COMPANY
98-1005 Moanalua Rd. #522 (Above Longs) Pearlridge Shopping Center - Makai
MAY 26, 2021 MIDWEEK 25
“If current progress toward
equal pay continues, the gender wage gap in Hawaii will not
close until 2052.”
(Institute for Women’s Policy Research)
www.ywcaoahu.org
Public service of
Assistance League of Hawai‘i is an all-vol- unteer nonprofit cel- ebrating 50 years of serving the state’s keiki. The 85-plus members manage a thrift shop at 1505 Young St., which is the primary source of funding for our programs. We are a chap- ter of National Assistance League, one of over 120. The national organization began with a group of women who organized to help victims of the San Francisco earthquake in 1919. The Hawai‘i chapter was formed in April of 1971. Our mission is to transform the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Operation School Bell is our signature program and
before. Without children in school this past year, we have furnished over 15,000 school logo T-shirts to students in 34 schools throughout Hawai‘i.
tions and monetary donations from individuals. Donations of gently used merchandise for resale are accepted when the shop is open (9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays). All monetary donations and thrift shop profits stay in Ha- wai‘i.
SUPER SALE OF THE WEEK
DIAMOND SPECIALS
DIA .66 TW ROUND STUD EARRINGS 14K • LAB F-VS
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DIA 2.00 CT
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Kids can shop for school clothes and shoes, thanks to Assistance League of Hawai‘i. PHOTOS COURTESY ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF HAWAI‘I
provides new school clothing to students in need. We take children to in-store events, where they shop for clothing and shoes. One boy at a past in-store event was thrilled to receive new shoes in a box — an experience he never had
Our We Care program ex- tends caring and commitment to those in crisis or at risk. Backpacks and bus passes go to homeless teens, comfort Mālama Bears are provided for hospitals and Honolulu Fire Department for those in trauma, home furnishings are purchased for children aging out of foster care and layettes are provided for new mothers at local hospitals — just to name a few.
Our biggest challenge is having enough volunteers. As- sistance League offers unique volunteer opportunities that fit many interests and sched- ules. Please consider joining or becoming a community volunteer.
In addition to proceeds from our thrift shop, we receive grants from local organiza-
For more information, visit hawaii.assistanceleague.org, email us at althrift281@gmail. com or call 808-946-1505.
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PROOF POSITIVE
Biz Growth With Free Resources
The Enterprising Women of Color Business Center team smiles for a photo at the grand opening. PHOTOS COURTESY YWCA O‘AHU
By Shan Wirt, director of minority business development agency, Enterprising Women of Color Business Center at YWCA O‘ahu
I n celebration of Small Business Month, did you know that there are 44,000 women-owned businesses in
women, minorities and veterans (includ- ing service-disabled), and other catego- ries. Many Fortune 1000 corporations also set aside contracts in similar categories to increase supplier diversity.
Hawai‘i generating $7 billion? However, that accounts for only 7% of state revenue. At last count, only 23 of these businesses are certified women-owned businesses.
For access to capital, businesses can participate in financial counseling and workshops, including topics such as fi- nancial statements, bookkeeping best practices, loan application tips, insurance and bonding.
Our new business center advocates for minority women-owned businesses to in- crease federal, state and private contract opportunities through free minority certi- fication training, business analysis, market access and access to capital. YWCA O‘ahu is 1 of only 5 organizations in the nation awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch this center. Mi- norities include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hasidic Jews, Hispanic Amer- icans, Native Americans and Pacific Is- landers. We focus on businesses that have operated for two or more years.
resources focused on business analysis, market access and access to capital.
Together, we can rebuild the economy, keep more money in Hawai‘i and create jobs. We are here to help overcome so- cioeconomic factors that make it chal- lenging for these businesses to reach their economic potential and grow as revenue generators for their families, Hawai‘i and the nation.
For business analysis, we offer coun- seling tailored to clients’ needs, including business plans, marketing and operational strategies.
We offer free programs, services and
For market access, counseling and workshops help businesses identify and compete for contract opportunities. About 23% of federal government contracts — $115 billion annually — is set aside pri- marily for certified businesses owned by
Visit ywcaoahu.org/mbda-ewoc, email mbdaewoc@ywcaoahu.org or call 808- 695-2627.
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