WAIMEA — Two nonprofit family centers want Kaua‘i households to know they’re open in the wake of COVID-19, which exploded the size of their client base in the past year, due to widespread job loss.
“We just meet families where they’re at situationally, as well as geographically,” Stephanie Funtanilla, program manager for Nana’s House in Waimea, said in a recent interview. “Whatever life is bringing them that they need help with, that’s what we try to do, so that their family is strengthened and their children develop.”
Nana’s House served 4,500 people last fiscal year, compared to 1,200 the year before. Now, the West Side family center and its East Side counterpart, Hale Ho‘omalu in Kapa‘a, want residents to know they’re still around and expanding their program offerings.
Nana’s House is tucked behind a row of storefronts on Waimea Road. Like Hale Ho‘omalu, Nana’s House offers a mix of free material resources like food, clothing and toiletries, in addition to free counseling and case management.
Both houses also offer mobile crisis outreach, a 10-week Hawaiian-values-based parenting class and guidance on programs not offered by house staff themselves, like grandparenting and substance abuse services and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Many clients struggling to put food on the table do not know or are unsure if they qualify for SNAP, and some need help to navigate various online aid applications, according to Funtanilla.
The family centers have expanded their telehealth capabilities during the pandemic. Clients can reserve a private room and laptop at Nana’s House for virtual appointments, and parents expecting children or with children up to age 5 can enroll in a newly-created family program.
“That’s helping the family be like their child’s first teacher, helping them understand what’s happening through the development of their child as they’re younger,” Funtanilla explained.
The family centers plan to expand family enrichment and “‘ohana time” opportunities going forward. Currently, Nana’s Housing is gearing up to hold a “Musubi and Memories” event.
In the meantime, Nana’s House and Hale Ho‘omalu are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can walk-in or call in advance.
“We really want people to know that we’re here for everybody,” Funtanilla said. “We’re not just here for people who are at crisis. We’re here for anybody that really just wants to strengthen their family.”
Nana’s House can be reached at 808-338-0252. Hale Ho‘omalu can be reached at 808-821-2520.
