FROM JUDITH'S DESK
Hawaii Youth Services Network bids farewell this month to two long term employees, Regina Torres and Maricel Lumagui. Regina completed 8 years with HYSN in May, serving as Office Manager and working in our teen pregnancy prevention programs. Maricel celebrated her seventh anniversary with HYSN in July as our Program Assistant.
Both are moving on to new adventures in distant places.
Maricel has moved to Las Vegas, where her grandchildren were surprised by her arrival (family kept it a secret,) and delighted to find out that Gima was not just visiting for a few days. She is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with her children and grandchildren, and has already arranged for several gigs as an MC at holiday parties.
Regina plans to go to Northern Mariana Islands to care for her elderly parents, and reunite with her daughter and grandson, Ryder. Saipan is recovering from a devastating typhoon and some areas still do not have electric power or running water. Regina plans to help her friends and relatives rebuild and restore. I look forward to visiting her on Saipan as we continue our work with the Public School System there on positive youth development and teen pregnancy prevention.
All of us in the HYSN will miss you and we wish you all the best in the future. As the Dalai Lama said, the best things in life are not things . . . but the people in your life. Much Aloha, Regina and Maricel!
RESOURCES
22ND ANNUAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUMMIT
The Hawaii State Legislature's Keiki Caucus takes great pleasure in inviting the students, advocates, professionals, parents, policymakers and all others interested in improving the well-being of Hawaii's children and youth to participate in the 22nd Annual Children and Youth Summit on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the State Capitol Auditorium.
Youth participation and presence at the 2015 Children and Youth Summit will assist the Legislature in identifying critical issues that affect the lives of youth, their families and the broader community. It is also an opportunity to work with peers to help identify viable solutions that can be brought before the Legislature during the 2016 Legislative Session and also to help mobilize the community to take action.
The theme of this year's event is "Mindfulness." Summit attendees will experience rich and diverse panel discussions led by community leaders, business professionals and youth, on such various topics such as financial literacy, sustainability, early learning, wellness, healthy lifestyles and much more. Attendees will walk away with the tools, inspiration and determination for a better Hawaii for our children and youth.
The summit is free of charge and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments.
We hope you will join us to learn more about what is important to the youth and future of Hawaii.
To register contact jennifer@hysn.org
ANANDA FUND HAWAII 2015-16 GRANT COMPETITION
Ananda Fund Hawaii, a donor advised fund of Hawaii Community Foundation is seeking proposals from Hawaii based nonprofits for our first ever theater competition.
After a first round of proposals, selected nonprofits will be invited to compete in a live performance that showcases your work.
To win the $20,000 grant, your organization should demonstrate how the arts (through a play) could be used to build public awareness about important issues affecting our island communities. This is a fun and informative way to share your mission and engage your communities and the larger public.
Around the world, community groups use the power of theater to illustrate their work-- in fields ranging from public health to human rights, literacy to nutrition, and education to community leadership. This serves as the inspiration for our Hawaii-based competition. This is an opportunity for you to tell the story of your work through the voices of your community and promote your nonprofit through the arts, with a 15 to 20 minute performance.
There are two parts to the grant competition:
- conceptualize and submit a grant proposal with your ideas (due December 15, 2015)
- The performance of a play that will be written by you and performed in the spring of 2016!
In January 2016 we will invite five nonprofits to compete in the second part of the grant competition. We will ask nonprofits to write and perform an original production that brings the work of your organization to life for an audience and demonstrates the impact of your work for the community and beneficiaries that you serve. The play will be presented at a theater before a live audience. Both the audience and a panel of judges will vote on the winners.
The winning prize is $20,000. Cash prizes will be awarded to participating organizations competing in the theater portion of the competition. Nonprofits may apply in one of two categories:
- ‘Aina Based – – your nonprofit focuses on helping the ‘aina -- our land through clean-ups, cultural restoration projects, community workdays, preservation or conservation of our ecological resources. This includes the mountains, lo’i, the ocean, the reefs, beaches, farming, clearing of invasive species and planting of native plants, and caring for endangered animals.
- People Based – – your nonprofit works to educate, uplift and empower our communities. Nonprofits in this category include the following: teaching, educational outreach, skills training, personal development, cultural practices, literacy, mentoring, kupuna services, rehabilitation, family strengthening, and hospice care. You advocate or provide a service for the needs of certain groups of people or you work with elders, children, the disabled, underprivileged or communities at risk.
For more inofrmation, go to: http://www.anandafundhawaii.org
PREGNANCY PREVENTION VIDEOS AVAILABLE
When our youth watch educational videos produced on the mainland, their reaction is often, “They don’t look like us. They don’t talk like us. Nothing looks familiar. What does this have to do with me?”
Hawaii Youth Services Network has created 5 videos on sexual health designed to be culturally responsive for Hawaii and Pacific Islander youth. They educate young people about what puts them at risk for unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, and encourage them to make thoughtful decisions about their sexual health.
For a limited time, these videos are available to you at no cost. They include:
You Cannot Get HIV Ladatt!
The Hard Way: Pacific Region (Two friends learn that they arew at risk for HIV)
Condom Negotiation Dialogue and Kealia’s Monologue ( Worries that her boyfriend may have put hewr at risk for HIV through drug use and unprotected sex) - packaged together on 1 DVD
Lani’s Choice (Lani and her friends struggle with decisions about abstinence versus using condoms for safer sex)
To request your free copies, please send e-mail to Jennifer Fonseca at jennifer@hysn.org or call 808-531-2198 ext. 2.
If you want more information about the content of the videos or ways to use them effectively with youth and families, contact Darlene Du Brall, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Director, at darlene@hysn.org or 808-489-1303.
BLUE ZONES PROJECT COMMUNITY KICK-OFFS OCT 16-17
Join the movement for a Healthier Hawaiˋi as we launch Blue Zones Project in Ko'olaupoko, East Hawaiˋi, and North Hawaiˋi with a free, family-friendly celebration!
Blue Zones Project is a community-wide well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier in Hawaiˋi. Grab your friends, family, and neighbors and join us for this free, community-wide celebration event to launch Blue Zones Project®. Discover how you can get involved in transforming Ko`olaupoko, East Hawaiˋi and North Hawaiˋi into places where healthy choices are the easiest to make. You’ll learn how implementing Blue Zones® principles can lead to a longer, better life!
- Ko`olaupoko | Friday October 16, 5-8 p.m.
- East Hawaiˋi | Saturday October 17, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- North Hawaiˋi | Saturday October 17, 3-6 p.m.
FEATURING
DAN BUETTNER - National Geographic Explorer and New York Times best-selling author of The Blue Zones and The Blue Zones Solution.
Don't miss Dan's SPECIAL presentation!
- Koˋolaupoko: 6:30 p.m.
- East Hawaiˋi: 10:30 a.m.
- North Hawaiˋi: 5 p.m.
Click here to register and to find more information about the events and activities at each location.
For questions, please contact Blue Zones Project Hawaiˋi at bluezonesprojecthawaii@healthways.com
PLAY, LEARN, SERVE AND WORK!
The Island of Oahu and Honolulu was one of 50 cities chosen to be part of a nationwide effort led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Interior Sally Jewel to increase awareness, support and participation in outdoor programs and stewardship for youth.
The City and County of Honolulu, Department of Interior, YMCA of Honolulu and KUPU (AmeriCorps) invite you to join an Island-wide coalition who together will help engage up to 20,000 of our youth outdoors each year.
Watch our Youth Initiative in Action here!
Please join 50+ other leaders from youth, educational, environmental and cultural organizations to create a vision and strategy for getting our youth across Oahu outdoors engaged in recreation, learning and serving opportunities.
WHEN
Thursday, October 15, 2015
9 am – 2pm (Lunch included.)
WHERE
St. Anthony’s Retreat Center
3351 Kalihi Street, Honolulu, 96819
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Organizations who provide outdoor recreational, learning and volunteer opportunities for youth.
- Organizations who can connect their youth and families to these outdoor opportunities.
GOALS OF THE SUMMIT
- Identify existing opportunities for youth for recreation, education, and/or service outdoors.
- Create a strategy to coordinate efforts, collaboration, promotion and engagement of youth in outdoor activities that offer opportunities to:
- Play: Healthy living and stronger connections
- Learn: Using nature as a classroom
- Serve/Work: Volunteering to preserve our natural resources
RSVP by Thursday, October 8, 2015
For more information and registration:
Lisa Ontai
YMCA of Honolulu
Phone: 808-375-9352
Email: lontai@ymcahonolulu.org
LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL!
In communities today, 15.1 million children take care of themselves after the school day ends. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. Join us, along with 7,500+ afterschool programs nationwide, in celebrating our afterschool programs
Come join us at the State Capitol on Wednesday, October 21st at 2:45 pm to the “Lights On Afterschool” celebration.
Who: Afterschool Programs
What: A rally at the State Capitol
When: Wednesday, October 21st, 2015 – 2:45 pm
Where: State Capitol
Why: Come and support the afterschool and summer learning programs. The afterschool children will showcase their talents for art, dance and music, they will decorate the Capitol with their colored, paper lightbulbs and they will demonstrate their appreciation for afterschool programs by sign-‐waving on Beretania Street. The rally will be followed by representatives remarks.
For more information please contact: Hawaii Afterschool Alliance 841 Bishop Street, Suite 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 380-‐1602
www.hawaiiafterschoolalliance.org
YOUTUBE VIDEO CONTEST- WIN A GO PRO!
Hey Teens! Want to win a Go Pro?!
In honor of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Teen Alert Program (TAP) at the Domestic Violence Action Center is asking intermediate and high school students to create a short video to raise awareness about teen dating violence.
Here’s what you do!
- Create a 1-3 minute long video with the theme: How can YOU help TAP out dating violence?
- Upload your video to YouTube
- Go to TAP808.org/contest to submit the URL to your video
- All submissions are due November 16, 2015
QUESTIONS? Go to TAP808.org/contest or email teen@stoptheviolence.org
HOMEAID HAWAI'I ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
HomeAid Hawai‘i is now accepting applications from Hawaii non-profits who provide shelter, housing, or services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
HomeAid Hawai‘i is a chapter of HomeAid America, a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals. We will provide assistance to qualifying non-profits for renovations to existing facilities, construction of new facilities and common areas, as well as CareAid projects which typically are one or two day light-work projects.
We opened our doors in June 2015, and we are excited to begin partnering with non-profits to build new lives for Hawai‘i’s homeless population through housing and community outreach. We serve local non-profits by transforming their facilities to better serve those experiencing homelessness in our community. In addition to housing related projects, HomeAid Hawai‘i supports community outreach efforts through drives, events, and programs that support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Eligible organizations provide housing social services that enable residents to transform their lives and move towards self-sufficiency. To determine if your organization has an eligible project, go to http://homeaidhawaii.org. Here’s how the process works:
- Applications initially will be accepted on a rolling basis.
- Please submit your qualifying questionnaire application prior to submitting the project application.
- Once you receive notification that your agency qualifies to apply for assistance from HomeAid Hawai‘i, you will be notified that you may submit a project application.
- Applications will be reviewed by HomeAid Hawai‘i’s Project Selection Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of HomeAid Hawai‘i.
TRAINING
ASIST TRAINING FOR OAHU
Thursday October 8th and Friday October 9th at 8:00-4:00pm - Queens Lili`uokalani Children’s Center’s Honolulu Unit 1300-A Halona Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
To register: http://sptrainingshawaii.eventbrite.com
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS
What does sustainability mean for your agency and its programs? Presenters will share best practices from the field. Participants will assess where they stand in their sustainability planning, gauge their current status across 8 key factors and identify areas where they may want to focus their efforts.
We encourage you to bring a team of key people from your organization – Executive and Board leadership, program managers, development directors, marketing staff – all of the people who need to work together to sustain your programs.
Presenters: Judith F. Clark, MPH, Executive Director Alex Wade, MA, Evaluator Hawaii Youth Services Network
KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII Tuesday, October 13, 2015 Registration 9:00 – 9:30; Program 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 West Hawaii Civic Center, Liquor Control Conference Room 74-677 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Register by October 6: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=pmbmc
KAUAI Tuesday, October 27, 2015 Registration 9:00 – 9:30; Program 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 Lihue Airport Mezzanine Conference Room Lihue, Kauai Register by October 20: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=pmbjh
MAUI Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Registration 9:00 – 9:30; Program 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 Courtyard By Marriott Hotel - Kahului Airport 532 Keolani Pl, Kahului, HI 96732 Register by October 27: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=pmbmc
Cost: Free to Hawaii Youth Services Network members with dues paid for the current year. Other individuals or organizations: $10 (to cover cost of refreshments)
If you register and do not cancel 3 days before the event and do not show up, we will charge you $10.
If you have difficulty with registration, please contact Jennifer Fonseca at 808-531-2198 ext. 2 or via e-mail at jennifer@hysn.org
PAR LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOPS ON MAUI, KAUAI, AND HAWAII ISLAND THIS OCTOBER
This October, the Public Access Room (PAR) will be offering our free “We the Powerful!” teaching session on Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. The workshop will explain Hawaii’s lawmaking process and provide tips on how the public can easily and effectively participate in the discussion. No registration is required.
Maui flyer (http://lrbhawaii.org/par/workshp/mauiflyer15.pdf)
Kauai flyer (http://lrbhawaii.org/par/workshp/kauaiflyer15.pdf)
Hawaii flyer (http://lrbhawaii.org/par/workshp/hawaiiflyer15.pdf)