Page 4 - MidWeek Windward - Feb 3, 2021

4 FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Partnership Improves Lives Of Homeless Mothers, Children
BY DON ROBBINS
Renewing hearts with homes, The Shelter in Ka- haluʻu is a nonprofit part- nership of multiple orga- nizations and individuals. Together, they have created a series of igloo-shaped por- table domes that serve as a faith-based sanctuary for homeless single mothers and their children.
to those in need. After the City & County of Honolu- lu issued the permit for the dome project, the first fam- ilies moved in December 2018.
in a few hours.
Today, The Shelter serves
ers who have transitioned to their own apartments, four who have been reunited with their families and three who have successfully transferred to other assistance programs.
“One of our challenges is fundraising,” Kaneshiro says.
land to help more families over there.
The journey to the creation of The Shelter began in 2015 with Pastor Klayton Ko of the First Assembly of God, who also serves as the assem- bly’s district superintendent.
“To have a bunch of peo- ple just to support you, spir- itually, mentally, emotional- ly, any kind of way, it makes a huge impact in your life,” Kristy states.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact of the ef- fort, though. In years past, a public gala assisted with ob- taining donations. However, due to the pandemic and so- cial distancing, that cannot be held currently, and only online efforts are available.
In the Hearts & Homes section of the organization’s website, a formerly home- less mother of three named Kristy explains that within six months of being a res- ident of The Shelter she was able to get a job and an apartment of her own.
as part of the solution to end homelessness in Hawaiʻi for single mothers and their children through a coalition of the community, the corpo- rate world, nonprofit organi- zations, government and a faith-based ‘ohana of several churches.
“The transformation of their hearts is in our goals. If there’s a new hope in their hearts, it will make them stronger,” Kaneshiro adds.
He adds that contributions of $21 or more a month in the year 2021 would go a long way to addressing The Shelter’s financial needs.
He also shares that the land next to the Kahaluʻu shelter is zoned for agricul- ture that can be used for a self-sustaining farming proj- ect devoted to giving women an opportunity earn addi- tional work skills.
Daniel Kaneshiro, exec- utive director of The Shel- ter, shares that there are 12 domes total at the Kahaluʻu location: nine for families, one for the resident manag- er, and two restroom domes each divided into three pri- vate sections with a shower, sink and toilet.
In addition, he said chil- dren need a place of stability as they grow older, to mini- mize the trauma they experi- enced early in life.
As far as future plans, Kaneshiro says that the non- profit is looking at possibly expanding to a neighbor is-
For information, or to do- nate, visit theshelter.org.
Ko partnered with the firm G70, which offered its as- sistance with the consulting and permit process because its leaders believed the proj- ect would make a difference
The durable, portable domes that are made by Alaska-based company In- tershelter can be assembled
He notes that so far The Shelter has helped 26 fam- ilies including 47 children. There have been 10 moth-
The Shelter in Kahalu’u features portable domes serving as temporary housing for homeless single mothers and their children.
PHOTO COURTESY THE SHELTER
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