LIHUE — Hale Opio Kauai wants to be involved in the community.
And, it wants to be sure the community knows what it’s all about.
So Friday, the nonprofit’s 17 staff members welcomed the public during an open house and showcased its community programs.
“To be a part of something that was a stepping stone for all of the prevention programs in our state, let alone it belongs to Kauai, it’s deeper than just community or social service,” said Leialoha Sanchez, who coordinates Hale Opio’s community service programs. “We really are passionate about what we do for our community. We see the growth, and it’s great to be part of this family.”
Hale Opio Kauai began serving youth throughout the state from a group home on Kauai more than four decades ago.
Today, it provides more than 20 programs that teach skills, strengthen relationships and offer opportunities to nurture the positive development of youth, annually reaching more than 500 young people.
“A lot of families out there are needing our support,” said Vonn Ramos, Hale Opio executive director since October 2016. “We’re called Hale Opio, House of the Youth. In a house there’s also a family, so we’re wanting to increase our services and support the families.”
Leona Perez, programs manager for Kauai Independent Food Bank, attended the open house to learn more about the organization.
“I know a little bit here and there, but getting to speak with each of these program directors is really interesting,” she said.
Jamie Lee Kai, case manager for the Inter/Independent Living, Higher Education and Imua Kakou (IHI) program, serves current and former foster youth ages 12 to 26.
“We work mainly with youth that age out at the HS (Human Services) foster care,” Kai said. “When they’re 18 they don’t have anywhere to go, so we help them get a bank account, find a job, apply for benefits and make them more independent.”
Kevin Lowry, treatment programs director, says there are lots of youth who are misplaced and don’t have families, or are in transition to get back to their families.
“We’re just trying to provide a safe environment for kids, whether it’s in the emergency shelter program we have or the crisis program we have, or more in the long term, which is the transitional family home program,” Lowry said.
Mary Ann Ornellas heads up IMU Life Skills with different programs that include teen dating relationships, teen pregnancy prevention, parenthood development and sex education.
“The goal is to educate youth in our community, so they can make healthy decisions,” Ornellas said.
Valarie Faford, community program specialist, promotes healthy family activities in the community, like learning how to dance salsa and exploring Native Hawaiian cultural practices with hula.
Her most recent activity drew nearly 90 attendees to dance and socialize in Anahola.
“These activities help bring families together,” she said.
In 2017, Hale Opio Kauai served about 400 youth. This year in the first quarter alone, the organization has already served more than 400 youth. In 2017, its revenue and support totaled almost $1.1 million, while expenses for programs and services totaled nearly $1.15 million.
Funding comes from state government contracts, donations and grants.
“If we impact and improve the system, then the child will have a better chance of being successful,” Ramos said.
“We’re all about wanting to connect people to the support that they need.”
