UPDATE: A new Mobile Family Resource Center was launched in Puna, Hawaii, on Monday, providing urgent community support to families in need. The initiative, backed by local officials and nonprofit organizations, aims to deliver essential services directly to neighborhoods.
The blessing ceremony took place at Connection Point Church of Nazarene in Keaau, where approximately 35 attendees included Mayor Kimo Alameda and County Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz. The Mobile Family Resource Center, operated by Neighborhood Place of Puna, is designed to tackle the unique challenges faced by families in the area.
“This has been many years in the making, and it’s amazing that it’s happening in Puna,” Kierkiewicz stated. “This van is normalizing that it’s okay to ask for help, that we live in a community where we’re supposed to malama — take care of — each other.”
The van will provide emergency supplies like food, diapers, and hygiene items, alongside access to computers and phones for job searches and applications. Chi-Ashley Davis and Lokelani Diego will oversee the program, ensuring that families receive valuable support, including case management and parenting classes.
The resource center was made possible through a $1.5 million grant from state entities, with contributions from U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. Executive Director Kukunaokala Yoshimoto of Blueprint for Change explained that funds will support ten community hubs statewide, each receiving $200,000 annually, enhancing the capacity to serve families across Hawaii Island.
The Mobile Family Resource Center is outfitted with a custom wrap showcasing Neighborhood Place of Puna’s information, as well as solar panels to power essential services. Director of Strategic Program Development Billi-Jo Pike emphasized the importance of addressing the interconnected issues families face, stating, “When parents are struggling with basic necessities, it’s often a choice between food and paying rent.”
The van is set to visit local public schools, including those in Keaau and Pahoa, ensuring that families can access vital resources. “This is the way we should do it,” Alameda remarked. “I think we could effectively multiply this effort across the island.”
For families facing challenges, the Mobile Family Resource Center is a beacon of hope. It aims to normalize the act of seeking help and provide a pathway to stability.
For more information on services, call or text (808) 501-1413, email [email protected], or visit neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org.
