Page 17 - MidWeek - January 25, 2023

Individuals, Families Thrive With IHS
FROM PAGE 16
JANUARY 25, 2023 MIDWEEK 17
called Tūtū Bert’s House. Named in honor of Roberta DuTeil, these homes cater to those being released from hospitals who need medical monitoring but no longer re- quire hospital-level care.
“I think knowing what my parents went through, and the struggles we had, it helps me to be, on the one hand, pret- ty compassionate to people that may be experiencing the same thing,” she shares. “On the other hand, I think it also fuels me with a desire to challenge folks to be em- powered and to really take advantage of opportunities that are set before you.”
While individuals are wel- come to visit IHS shelters, the nonprofit also takes its services directly to those in need through its street med- icine program, which helps treat ailments and encourag- es individuals to come to the center for help.
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to live, finding work is the key to financial stability. As such, in addition to helping clients settle into permanent housing, IHS also offers employment services. Its Hele2Work program helps individuals get workforce ready by assisting with ré- sumé writing, developing interview skills and more. Within the past 11 years, the organization has trained more than 8,000 individuals and helps secure jobs for about 25 people each month.
“Our specialty is triage, trying to figure out what, in fact, is the most impactful issue that is going on with that person — or issues, as a lot of times it’s more than one thing — and to be able to come up with a solution that really address that in the most effective way,” Mitchell explains.
s Hawai‘i is one of the nation’s most expensive places
(Above) Urban agricultural assistant Ryan Lau and IHS executive director Connie Mitchell tend to a batch of lettuce from the IHS rooftop garden. Produce from the garden is utilized in the organization’s meal program (right). PHOTOS COURTESY THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES
Prior to joining IHS, Mitchell worked as a psy- chiatric nurse for the state Department of Health. Since some homeless individuals may also be dealing with mental health issues, Mitch- ell believes her prior experi- ence has proven to be very useful at IHS.
“We really do believe in the value of kuleana, and people really embracing their potential and their ability to give back, but (also) for them to take care of themselves,” Mitchell says. “We real- ly want to help people find their strengths, their skills — learn new skills sometimes in order for them to get a job or get a better job so that they can earn more and be able to pay for their housing.”
IHS exists to not only as- sist individuals, but to help the entire ‘ohana thrive. Its family program focuses on the specific needs of both the parents and the keiki, such
“We don’t want the chil- dren to grow up thinking that what they experienced is all that there is, like not having enough money and moving from place to place as a homeless individual in a homeless family,” Mitchell adds. “I think the more sta- bility we’ re able to give the children, the (more the) like- lihood an episode of home-
“I think at the heart of our effectiveness is the compas- sion of the staff,” says Mitch- ell of the nonprofit’s 200-plus employees. “They just have so much love for the people that we are serving and they have big hearts, and I think that is kind of what keeps us going.”
To learn more, or to vol- unteer with the organization, visit ihshawaii.org.
“I didn’t realize maybe how much my background in mental health would be help- ful, but it also is something that really drives me in this area,” says the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa alumna. “I think it gives me a dif-
As executive director, Mitchell has seen her fair share of success stories and
ing, while the latter teaches various skills in the janitori- al, landscaping and building maintenance industries.
as providing parents with health education and finan- cial literacy, and helping the children obtain school sup- plies and clothing. Accord- ing to Mitchell, children that experience homelessness are four times as likely to be- come homeless themselves.
lessness won’t affect them in the long run.”
says that seeing people exit homelessness brings her so much joy.
Located at its women’s shelter, the Taking Root program features a scenic rooftop garden. Tending to the garden not only serves as an independent thera- peutic task. It’s also where ingredients are harvested for the organization’s meal program — and even sold at local grocery stores.
Mitchell shares that she feels privileged and honored to be part of IHS.
“It feels like I’m really in- vesting in the future of our community,” Mitchell says. “The folks that are experi- encing homelessness now, if they get back into the work- force or if they are able to do other things that kind of reach out to help somebody else and they pay it forward, we’ re going have a lot more goodness in our community.”
es ferent perspective because S I know what treatment can do for people and I really would like more people to
For those who haven’t worked in a long time, IHS offers prevocational train- ing, where people can obtain hands-on experience through its Taking Root or New Leaf offerings. The former is an urban agriculture program in which IHS clients learn aqua- ponic and hydroponic farm-
get treated.”
She adds that many home-
less people are immigrants, too, and since she has immi- grant parents, she believes she can empathize with these individuals in a unique way.
(Above) Mitchell works directly with homeless individuals whether it’s interacting with them on the street or serving meals in IHS’ kitchen (left).
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