ahha moments

8
Doran J. Porter URGENT FLASH APPEAL TO OUR READERS!!! AHHA volunteers working with persons who are homeless in Haleiwa and Wahiawa are officeless. If you have a space to offer or know someone who has, please contact AHHA office at (808) 845-4565 M A H A L O ! Calendar Year 2009 Windward N. Shore C. Oahu Total Clients Unduplicated-Project Total 326 170 106 602 Clients Duplicated-Project Total 3194 170 61 3425 Outreach-Project Total 80 2109 109 2298 Clients Visits-Project Total 3600 2449 276 6325 New Volunteers-Month 1 4 1 6 Volunteer Hours-Month 681,25 594 174 1 449.25 Current No. of Volunteers 15 9 5 29 Total Volunteers during Project 12 17 4 33 Total Volunteer Hours during Project 8636.13 6598 553 15787.13 The Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance (AHHA), a nonprofit organization which caters to the needs of the homeless population in Hawaii, faces this year with renewed commitment and a strong force of 33 AmeriCorps member- volunteers. With full trust and confidence in AHHA’s compe- tent staff, the homeless on Oahu continue to flock to the AHHA locations on the North Shore, Central Oahu and Kailua to receive services like one-on-one counseling and skills development training, as well as medical and non- medical referrals for housing, employment, benefits, etc. In the forefront, AHHA’s Ex- ecutive staff took the lead in conducting orientation/training for all the AHHA advocates at the YWCA in Kaneohe. Among other things, the semi- nar featured effective strate- gies for service delivery. It is important that in communicat- ing with clients, “we first seek to understand before we seek to be understood,” said Dr. Robert Walton, resource speaker on communication. He emphasized strategies believed to be effective Dr. Robert Walton in arriving at win-win agreements with the clients. In the same vein, CEO Doran Porter stressed the importance of basic work ethic and rules to observe at work. During the training, teamwork was demonstrated through team building activities led by Catherine and Paul, Site Coor- dinators. The delivery of the much needed services is made pos- sible with the support of ser- vice partners and with the help of donations of cash or in-kind by concerned citizens of Ha- waii. The partnership with other service agencies and the dedication and commitment of the advocates have enabled AHHA to extend its services tremendously, as shown by the statistics in the box below: The economy has been on the front pages of newspapers and maga- zines. However, there is not much talk about the impact of the economic crisis on the most vulner- able of our citizens. Low income families and indi- viduals are most likely to be affected by the changes that take place as the state, city, and nonprofit agencies are forced to make cutbacks in services. Based on recent state and county and city revenue projec- tions and expected fu- ture declines, it is clear that it will be very hard to continue many of the services at the level that these are needed. This is being done at a time when the demand for those services is increas- ing. This is also the case at many nonprofit agen- cies. (More next page) AHHA Marches on with 33 Strong and Committed AmeriCorps Member-Volunteers . . . By Zenaida From Our Executive Director !""! $%&'()* !""! $%&'()* !""! $%&'()* !""! $%&'()* !"#$%$& ())*+ ,) !-#*.)/# 0)/#1#++$#++ Volume 1 No. 1 January-March 2010 In This Issue URGENT FLASH APPEAL TO OUR READERS 1 *AHHA Marches on with 33 . . . Volunteers 1 By Zenaida *From Our Executive Director 1 *AHHA at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade 2 By Tony Walker *Safe Zones’ . . ., a near Possibility 3 By Zenaida *CEO Installs a State-of- the-Art …System 3 By Tino Santiago *AHHA Joins the. Social Networking Craze 3 By Tony Walker *The AHHA . . . Library Is Now in Operation 3 *Making a Difference 3 By Tarik Sami Rasouli *The AmeriCorps Pledge 3 *Meet the AHHA Family 4 *Volunteer Spotlight 5 By Catherine Datuin *Upcoming Events 5 *Doors Now Open to . . . 5 By Willy Pormento *You Can Help 6 *Editorial 6 *AHHA Moments 6 *10 Steps on the Path out of Homelessness 7 *Voices . . . 7 By David Lasoff *The AmeriCorps-AHHA Team 8

Upload: catherine-datuin

Post on 10-Mar-2016

218 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

DESCRIPTION

AHHA's Quarterly Newsletter

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: AHHA Moments

!Doran J. Porter

URGENT FLASH APPEAL

TO OUR READERS!!! AHHA volunteers working

with persons who are homeless in Haleiwa and Wahiawa are officeless. If you have a space to offer or know someone who has, please contact

AHHA office at (808) 845-4565

M A H A L O !

Calendar Year 2009 Windward N. Shore C. Oahu Total

Clients Unduplicated-Project Total 326 170 106 602 Clients Duplicated-Project Total 3194 170 61 3425 Outreach-Project Total 80 2109 109 2298 Clients Visits-Project Total 3600 2449 276 6325 New Volunteers-Month 1 4 1 6 Volunteer Hours-Month 681,25 594 174 1 449.25 Current No. of Volunteers 15 9 5 29 Total Volunteers during Project 12 17 4 33 Total Volunteer Hours during Project 8636.13 6598 553 15787.13

The Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance (AHHA), a nonprofit organization which caters to the needs of the homeless population in Hawaii, faces this year with renewed commitment and a strong force of 33 AmeriCorps member-volunteers. With full trust and confidence in AHHA’s compe-tent staff, the homeless on Oahu continue to flock to the AHHA locations on the North Shore, Central Oahu and Kailua to receive services like one-on-one counseling and skills development training, as well as medical and non-medical referrals for housing, employment, benefits, etc. In the forefront, AHHA’s Ex-ecutive staff took the lead in conducting orientation/training for all the AHHA advocates at the YWCA in Kaneohe. Among other things, the semi-nar featured effective strate-gies for service delivery. It is important that in communicat-ing with clients, “we first seek

to understand before we seek to be understood,” said Dr. Robert Walton, resource speaker on communication. He emphasized strategies believed to be effective Dr. Robert Walton

in arriving at win-win agreements with the clients. In the same vein, CEO Doran Porter stressed the importance of basic work ethic and rules to observe at work.

During the training, teamwork was demonstrated through team building activities led by Catherine and Paul, Site Coor-dinators. The delivery of the much needed services is made pos-sible with the support of ser-vice partners and with the help of donations of cash or in-kind by concerned citizens of Ha-waii. The partnership with other service agencies and the dedication and commitment of the advocates have enabled AHHA to extend its services tremendously, as shown by the statistics in the box below:

The economy has been on the front pages of newspapers and maga-zines. However, there is not much talk about the impact of the economic crisis on the most vulner-able of our citizens. Low income families and indi-viduals are most likely to be affected by the changes that take place

as the state, city, and nonprofit agencies are forced to make cutbacks in services. Based on recent state and county and city revenue projec-tions and expected fu-ture declines, it is clear that it will be very hard to continue many of the services at the level that these are needed. This

is being done at a time when the demand for those services is increas-ing. This is also the case at many nonprofit agen-cies.

(More next page)!

AHHA Marches on with 33 Strong and Committed AmeriCorps Member-Volunteers . . . By Zenaida !

From Our Executive Director

! !""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*####

!"#$%$&'())*+',)'!-#*.)/#'0)/#1#++$#++'

Volume 1 No. 1 January-March 2010

In This Issue

URGENT FLASH APPEAL TO OUR READERS 1 *AHHA Marches on with 33 . . . Volunteers 1 By Zenaida *From Our Executive Director 1 *AHHA at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade 2 By Tony Walker *Safe Zones’ . . ., a near Possibility 3 By Zenaida *CEO Installs a State-of- the-Art …System 3 By Tino Santiago *AHHA Joins the. Social Networking Craze 3 By Tony Walker *The AHHA . . . Library Is Now in Operation 3 *Making a Difference 3 By Tarik Sami Rasouli *The AmeriCorps Pledge 3 *Meet the AHHA Family 4 *Volunteer Spotlight 5 By Catherine Datuin *Upcoming Events 5 *Doors Now Open to . . . 5 By Willy Pormento *You Can Help 6 *Editorial 6 *AHHA Moments 6 *10 Steps on the Path out of Homelessness 7 *Voices . . . 7 By David Lasoff *The AmeriCorps-AHHA Team 8

Page 2: AHHA Moments

From Our Executive Director

. . . from p. 1

Although reductions to the agency ‘s level of spending have a significant and often im-mediate economic impact on the agency, it needs to be re-membered that the impact on vulnerable populations is even greater.

We need to look critically at each ‘solution’ to the current economic crisis and evaluate its impact on those who continue to need our help. It has been said that it is our responsibility to help the ‘least among us’. . . those who have less financial resources, no housing, and so forth. In the midst of this grim picture, I do see signs of hope. We have seen an increase in those wishing to volunteer. Also the volunteers we have are continu-ing to volunteer even after their initial commitment has ended. Also they are putting in more hours than they did in the past. We need your help. As our gov-ernment support is shrinking, we rely on our donors to enable us to help at a time when our client numbers are dramatically increasing. Donations may be made on our website at www.hawaiihomeless.org or via post at the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance 621 N. King St. Honolulu, HI 96817.

Doran J. Porter

2002'34'45#'63*4%$''''''7845#*'9%$&':*;'(3<''''''=3*3>#''By Tony Walker

The Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance (AHHA) marched in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade this year. Along with nearly 1,000 other people from nearly 200 organizations. AHHA staff and volunteers walked from Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park thru Waikiki to Kapiolani Park. AHHA marched in celebration of the great gains made in racial equality since Dr. King gave his famous speech on the steps of the Washington Monument in 1967. But we also marched to raise awareness of all the work that is still left undone.

The

AHHA

Team

at the

Parade

The housing crisis in Hawaii that has left a huge number of native Hawaiians homeless is a product of two decades of greed and speculation.

While the housing crisis has hit Hawaii’s working class, it has been particularly devastating for Native Hawaiians. In 2005, the Honolulu Star Bulletin reported that fifteen percent of all Native Hawai-ians live in poverty. Twenty percent of Native Hawaiian families with children under eighteen fall below the poverty line and thirty-two percent of Native Hawaiian families headed by single mothers are poverty-stricken. These sobering statis-tics are only the beginning of the prob-lems that plague the Native Hawaiian population. The community is plagued with suicide, substance abuse, and crime, similar to the problems facing the Native Americans on the mainland. As of the date of this publication, Native Ha-waiians make up thirty-six percent of AHHA’s clients. #

Page 2 Page 2 !Page 2 !""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*####

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Henry Ford

“The most pathetic person in the world is the person who has sight but has no vision.” Helen Keller

?@3A#'B)$#+C'A)*'45#'5)/#1#++D''3'$#3*'")++%E%1%4<;';';''As if the clients’ voices that “rang through the halls of the state legis-lature” and were heard, the Hono-lulu Advertiser reported in its March 27, 2010, issue that lawmakers are considering the idea of designating certain areas as ‘safe zones’ as a low-cost solution to the homeless situation. If approved, persons who are homeless can pitch their tents with no worry of being roused and told to pack and move on in the middle of the night. According to the same source, the proponents believe that these ‘safe zones’ would entail much less ex-pense than other programs for the homeless. It would mean that per-sons who are homeless would have a place to go each night. The ‘safe zones’ would be established on either state land or on private land using state funds. The same source mentioned that tent cities are sprouting throughout the mainland while persons who are homeless await opportunities to get into permanent housing. It was also reported that two bills were approved by the City Council banning shopping carts in city parks and requiring permits for all tents. Advocates of the homeless cause hope that some agencies would “step up to provide management and infrastructure help” and that some funding could be secured from the government or the private sector. If well managed, tent cities or ‘safe zones’ could be a temporary ha-ven for persons who are homeless and could help alleviate the suffer-ings of those who find themselves houseless. # By Zenaida

Page 3: AHHA Moments

Making

a Difference By Tarik Sami Rasouli

AHHA has joined with AmeriCorps to open doors for people who are homeless and in so doing are strengthening the AHHA mission.

AmeriCorps is a national program designed to provide opportunities for Americans to give back to their com-munities. AmeriCorps members do a wide range of program activities. They recruit, train and supervise other volunteer-members. They tutor and mentor youth, teach computer skills, clean trails and streams, run after-school programs, help commu-nities respond to disasters, assist the homeless to acquire affordable hous-ing, provide counseling, and under-take such other projects as those that help.

AHHA is one of 2,900 national and local nonprofit groups whose mem-bers serve through the AmeriCorps state and national programs. AHHA currently has 33 AmeriCorps volun-teers working to make its vision ‘that everyone in Hawaii will have afford-able housing where they can live with dignity’ a reality. #

.

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

The AHHA Circulating

Library Is Now

in Operation

Early March 2010 marked the opening of the AHHA library at Wahiawa. Readers may browse over 100 volumes of fiction and non-fiction. The no-cost library is spe-cially designed to help the homeless gain interest in reading and make reading a hobby and pastime.

Many are finding that books can be their friends to take them to far away places and to broaden their knowledge and under-standing. There are also books for children. We even have a complete encyclopedia.

The library is open Tuesdays and Fridays at Wahiawa from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The AHHA-CL beckons to you to come and choose your books to read and enjoy and befriend.

These rich sources of knowledge and infor-mation have been acquired through dona-tions by concerned friends and citizens of Hawaii. Mahalo to the Adora family for do-nating over 100 books to start our library, to Chet and Chris Malins for the encyclopedia, to Bob McGann and Faye Briones for more

Fzye Bruones

Is shown here

handing over

to Zenaida 2

bagfuls of

books for the

Library.

books and to Al and Lita Acierto for the back issues of the Reader’s Digest. #

Volume 1 No. 1 Page 3

!CEO Installs a State-of-the-Art

Paperless Daily

Time and Activity

Recording System

By Tino Santiago

AHHA has recently adopted a new vol-unteer management system which en-ables the accurate and efficient re-cording of service hours as well as the activities undertaken each day.

myVolunteerpage.com

allows members to enter details, such as number of clients they have served, the services they have provided to them, how many resources they have learned and what projects they are working on. Going paperless is a very convenient, eco-friendly and effective way for the volunteers and their super-visors to monitor the progress they are making towards the realization of their personal goals and how they are con-tributing to the fulfillment of the AHHA mission. #

AHHA Joins the Social

Networking Craze

By Tony Walker

!The Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance has begun using Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness about homelessness. On our Facebook page you will find a huge collection of news articles and videos regarding all as-pects of homelessness nationwide. You will also find interesting discus-sions regarding homelessness that fans are encouraged to join in. We post photos of the many activities that AHHA sponsors. You can get a glimpse of our programs and activities. AHHA wants you as a fan on Face-book and as a follower on Twitter! Help raise awareness by joining our social network and inviting all your friends as well. See you online. #

,5#'2/#*%F)*"+'=1#>&#

!"#$%%"&'("()$*&+",-*'".-/"01'/$23!(-"134'"-5/"6'-6%'"+3.'/7"+13/('/7"3*,")'3%()$'/8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!"#$%%"9/$*&"01'/$23*+"(-&'()'/!(-"+(/'*&()'*"-5/"2-115*$($'+8!

:32',"#$()"363();7"!"#$%%"(34'"32($-*8!

:32',"#$()"2-*.%$2(7"!"#$%%"+''4"2-11-*"&/-5*,8!

:32',"#$()"3,<'/+$(;7"!"#$%%"6'/+'=<'/'8""

!"#$%%"23//;"()$+"2-11$(1'*("#$()"1'!()$+";'3/"3*,"9';-*,8!

!"31"3*"01'/$>-/6+"1'19'/"8"8"83*,"!"#$%%"&'("()$*&+",-*'8!

!!!!!!!!

Page 4: AHHA Moments

The Volunteers

Zenaida Pormento With a track record of over three decades of education, training, planning, monitoring and evaluation work experience behind her, it’s no wonder that Zenaida is bent on pursuing programs that will upgrade the quality of the services de-livered to the homeless. Other than case management work she is doing, she has initiated the AHHA Circulating Library at which our homeless readers can keep themselves busy and enter-tained and make friends with books. Zenaida places a great value on the education aspect of our services in an effort to help clients learn how to read and write so they can hone further their literacy skills. This focus allows her to pinpoint and work with those who need these basic skills in order to help them live more self-sufficient and independ-ent lives. Zenaida is actively involved in the literacy and values clarification

programs that AHHA has embarked on for its clients. Prior to her immigra-tion to Hawaii, Zenaida taught high school and college and gave in-service training to fellow educators. In the Philippines. She was a consult-ant also for Philippine government projects benefiting the destitute and underserved population in the rural areas. Zenaida holds B.S. and M.A. in Education degrees. #

Tarik Sami Rasouli A volunteer-member of AHHA, Tarik is placed with our partner - The Assistive Tech-nology Resource Center. Prior to vol-unteering with AHHA, he was a sup-port specialist and resident instructor at Life by Design, Inc. and Opportunity

Partners in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Within three years while working for Life by Design, Inc., Tarik received

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

(More volunteers’ write-ups next issue)

Doran J. Porter

Doran serves as the

Executive Director of the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance (AHHA), He comes with over thirty years of experience in the non-profit arena having worked with programs throughout the country to impact for the good those who are disenfran-chised and in need of social services and community support.

His extensive background in housing volunteerism, collaboration and service delivery is well suited to help AHHA move in new areas as well as to strengthen our existing programs.

Our ED is quite abreast with the times in administrative techniques and in dealing with issues affecting homeless-ness and how these can be addressed.

Catherine Datuin

Catherine L. Datuin is the Site Coordinator for the Central Oahu and North Shore Resource Centers. She has been with AHHA for two years and started off as an AHHA volunteer.

With a background in medicine, law, and real estate, Catherine is currently enrolled to finish a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services at the Hawaii Pa-cific University while focused on pur-suing a Master’s degree in Sociology.

Catherine’s mission is to help the homeless in Central Oahu and North Shore transition out of homelessness. She believes in the potential of her clients and encourages them to con-tinue to pursue their dreams, She maintains that homelessness is not a crime. #

Paul Ruddell

Paul Ruddell is the Site Coordinator for the Windward Re-source Center located in Kailua.

Paul’s passion and concern for the poor and homeless has brought him to this position after serving as a vol-unteer himself for a year at the Afford-able Housing and Homeless Alliance.

With a Master’s Degree in Intercul-tural Studies, Paul is culturally sensi-tive and compassionate to this unique population and contributes much to the AHHA team by organizing pro-grams, building networks, and training volunteers.

Paul enjoys working with the home-less population and is giving back to the Kailua neighborhood that he is from. #

Meet the AHHA Family . . . The Executive Staff

!"#$%&% !""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*!""!##$%&'()*####

Page 5: AHHA Moments

Doors Now Open to . . . *Kaipo: “I found Kaipo on the corner. He was lying on a cardboard box in front of the old Rosa’s Bar with no shoes on and sprawled out on the ground. . . Joe has just received housing and is now working on get-ting his nursing degree. # . *Michelle: A HepC carrier, Michelle was evicted from her apartment be-cause her partner failed to pay his part of the rent. For 8 years she lived under the bushes until she found AHHA at Haleiwa. She received as-sistance to buy a car, rent a room, and go into business selling jewelry . She now enjoys the amenities of an apartment with a former houseless friend. Looking back she said: “When I was down and out, I felt that some people really cared; they were the AHHA staff who encouraged and helped me to move on.” #

*Bernard Plagued with arthritis and disabled, lost in the wily effect of drugs and whiling his hours away at the Haleiwa Boat Harbor, this desper-ate man one day found his way to AHHA in Haleiwa. Recapturing his faith in God and having decided to change his life for the better, he sought the assistance of AHHA to find a place to live so he could get off the streets. Within a year after applying to HPHA for a housing unit he was awarded a studio type apartment and is now basking in the comfort of his new home. “Helping hands I found in AHHA. If not for them, I would still be homeless and aimless. Now I am ok. Thanks to AHHA.” #

By Willy Pormento

(More success stories next issue)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Windward/Kailua Site -Windward Homeless Coalition-

PACT Family Circle, Wednesday, April 7 - Legal Aid @WRC –

Every Wednesday, 9 -11:30 am - Hawaii Center For Independent Living

@ WRC – Every Tuesday, 9 am-1 pm - Tax Help @ St. Christopher’s –

Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 am-11 am until April 14

- Outreach at Key Project – Kahaluu. April 6 and 19, 1-4:30 pm

- Outreach at Kaneohe-April 21 - Outreach at Windward-April 28

-Class workshop -April 28 -Food Bank Fund-Raising Drive

April, 3rd Saturday

North Shore/Central Oahu Site - Neighborhood Board Meetings at

Wahiawa— Third Monday of the month, 7 pm - North Shore Board Meetings—Last Tuesday of the month, 7 pm

- Hands of Hope feeding program at Wahiawa District Park, 3rd Sunday, 12-1:30 pm

- Once-a-month Church, Haleiwa Beach Park,

last Sunday of the month, 8 am-12 pm

- Hot food service by Rev. Stevens at Wahiawa,

every Tuesday and Friday, 11 am - Hawaii Center for Independent

Living (HCIL)-Haleiwa, every last Tuesday, 9 am-12 pm

- Legal Aid Society (Greg Eckart) Haleiwa, First Thursday of the

month, 9 am-12 pm - AHHA Circulating Library-open at Wahiawa, every Friday, 9 am-4 pm

- Adult Literacy-Starting March

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Willy Pormento

Willy has demonstrated leadership above and beyond the call of duty. He has successfully completed 15 months of AmeriCorps service with our pro-gram. Always prompt in reporting for work, he demonstrates an excellent work ethic based on the principles of dependability, responsibility, account-ability, and hard work. He always makes sure he gets the job done right! He is highly favored by many of our clients for being someone that they can trust and run to when they are in need of help. Willy has been conscientiously devot-ing his time to a diverse number of pro-jects including: filming for AHHA his AmeriCorps video. He is usually first to volunteer to do just anything. He helps to write resume’s for clients who need employment. He has participated in many different company events espe-cially those that pertain to finding hous-ing and employment and to acquiring better client advocacy skills. His mind is set on improved service delivery to clients.

Willy In action

while doing an intake

with a new client

Years before he immigrated to Hawaii in 2001, Willy practiced his profession as a dentist in the Philippines. He was also engaged in extensive community development work for which he re-ceived a Presidential Award from the then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia. With both M.B.A. and Ed. D degrees to his name, he had been a university professor in the Philippines and a project management consultant for the Philippine government. # By Catherine Datuin

For all AHHA-AmeriCorps volunteers

AmeriCorps

Statewide Training Conference

May 26-28, 2010

Ala Moana Hotel

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%!"#$%'%()*+,$%-%.)/%-%

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, is a much greater hunger, a much

greater poverty, than the person who has nothing to eat.”

Mother Teresa

Page 6: AHHA Moments

G)8'F3$'0#1"'With the following items:

Money to pay rents & finance our on-going operations Office space on the North Shore/Central Oahu

*FOOD ITEMS

*Canned tuna *SPAM *Vienna sausages *Corned beef ^Cheese/butter *Soup in packs *Rice *Instant noodles *Bread/cookies *Eggs *Pancake mix *Fruits *Instant coffee/drinks *Bottled water *Sandwich spread

*HYGIENE ITEMS *Shampoo *Bath soap *Shaving cream *Toothbrushes *Toothpaste *Combs *Razors *Deodorant *Toilet paper *Paper towel *Cotton/alcohol swabs *Hand sanitizer *Sanitary napkins *Dental floss

*CLOTHES AND FOOTWEAR (in good condition)

*Men’s *Women’s *Children’s *Jackets *Underwear *Socks *Shoes/Sandals *Slippers *Walking shorts *Belts

*OFFICE SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT

*Computer/printer/copier in one *Laptop *Toner *Copy paper *File folders/binders *Stapler/staple wire *Paper clips *Glue *Metal file cabinets with lock/key *Clip boards *Pens/pencils *Paper trays *Closet organizers *Storage boxes *Cork boards *Pins *Pencil sharpener *Highlighters *Scotch tape *Masking tape *Tablet/ruled paper *White boards *Board markers *White board eraser *Business card/label stickers *Folding tables *Expended envelopes *Paper cutter

*MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS *Books *Ponchos *Laundry soap *Hats & bags *First aid kits *Vitamins *Pots and pans *Dog food *Ziploc bags *Flashlight/batteries

Please call 845-4565 for donation drop locations. !"#"$"#"%"&'"'"'""" !!!!

################!

!""!#$%&'()*#E,1%+**-.-"0%/870-."2-+#%+*%2,1%N**+'("701%4+8)-#6%"#(%4+!101))%N00-"#.1%ON44NP%&-2,%+**-.1)%"2%QHM%B+'2,%

R-#6%>23:%4+#+0808:%4"&"--%JQSMT%E103%B+3OSISP%SUVCUVQV%%%%%%W"X%B+3OSISPSUVCUVQJ%%

&&&Y%,"&"--,+!101))3+'6%%

()*+&,*#%"-&#,)""""""""""""""""""""""""""""!"#$%&'"#()#&N44NCDZ[%%

*$(+)#,%)&!$(-,%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&B>\D[%>-21%D++'(-#"2+'%%%

'$-.&/-00).&=-#(&"'(%>-21%D++'(-#"2+'%1)%$,0$&'"#2)%("&

B1&)01221'%Z(-2+'%

Page 6 !########!""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*!""!#$%&'()*####

I want to help the homeless with my gift of: $______________ . Please mail your check to: AHHA 621 North King Street Honolulu, Hawai`i 96817 Or make a Credit Card donation on our secure website at www.hwaiihomeless.org !

!!!“Those who have much give much.”!

H>%4)*%31'%"

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""AHHA

Moments of

Love

Love is said to have made great men and martyrs, but has driven many a man crazy as well? Here are some quotes from the Internet which may help identify which ap-plies best to us: “True love has no definition, for if you de-fine the love you say is true, you have given it boundaries and conditions and love, true love, has neither.” (H. Rose) “Love endures not for a time or season Love, true love, knows not the rea-son.” (Cassie) “Love is a noble act of self-giving; the more you love, the more you lose a part of you, yet you do not become less of who you are, but you end up complete.” (L. Joves) “Without love, no matter how little or how much money we may have, life becomes meaningless.” (Frank Hanna) They say t takes only a second or two to say “I love you” but a life-time to prove it. For the AHHA advocates working cease-lessly with persons who are homeless, the moments they spend patiently and com-passionately with the clients, counseling, listening, and assisting them in many ways, are a source of untold bliss, which cannot be compensated otherwise. That is love! # By Zenaida

Page 7: AHHA Moments

Voices…

(Our clients speak) By David Lasoff*

Last year on a rainy night, a houseless man

was camping on the North Shore. He wasn’t

doing anything except sleeping and trying to

stay dry in his little tent. His camp was small; no

fire but it was clean and free of trash. Suddenly,

in the middle of the wee hours, a young Hono-

lulu Police Officer came upon the man’s camp-

site and shined a flashlight in the tent. The

houseless man awoke and after being ques-

tioned regarding his mental health, was told to

pack up and sleep at the bus stop until morning

and to then “move on.”

“Move on where?” The houseless man asked.

Silence. The Policeman was just doing his job in

a nice way. He did not even serve the house-

less man with a citation for illegal camping. He

actually wished he could tell the poor fellow

where he could legally camp but could only offer

the standard advice: “Go get a permit for the

limited legal camping sites available.” So, the

houseless man “moved on” and found a spot in

the woods where he still illegally trespassed on

private property.

The houseless man and others like him actually

do illegally occupy private, business and public

properties all over Oahu. What other choice do

they have? Largely missing among public zon-

ing policies are legally established houseless

zones. There are residential zones. There are

business zones. There are agricultural zones

and mixed-usage zones. But, there are no or

very, very few houseless zones.

What is a houseless zone? A houseless zone is

an underutilized public area or structure(s)

where it is legal for houseless people to camp

and live while awaiting opportunities to find af-

fordable housing units to rent or to own. It is a

geographical area, like other zones, where com-

munities may legally allow acceptable activities

and usages for their houseless population. Most

importantly, houseless zones are a place where

law-enforcers, residents, business owners, non-

profit groups, and public officials can very effec-

tively address the problems and face the chal-

lenges of homelessness. #

Volume 1 No. 1 Page 7

10 Steps on the Path out of Homelessness*

Know That You Are Special. No matter what people have said to you in the past, and no matter how you feel

about yourself right now, always know that you are a unique and special person. You are filled with the innate ability to do what is right and to be who you want to be.

Don’t ever think otherwise.

Overcome Your Barriers. To overcome your personal barriers, you must admit to the issues that have caused your homelessness. This could be substance abuse, personal hurt, unemployment, physical or mental health, relationship problems or other factors. First, identify your

barrier(s) and then take steps toward dealing with these issues one by one.

Be Realistic. Take small steps toward your goals instead of taking giant steps forward.

It’s good to have exciting dreams for your future but be realistic. Most people are not going to jump from being homeless to having a high-powered job overnight.

So start with slow, realistic steps. Every step you take toward improving your life is valuable—even the small steps.

Take Personal Responsibility. Even if other people have hurt you or caused your homelessness or you feel that they partly caused your homelessness, it is your responsibility to choose to over-come your situation. Finger-pointing should only be directed toward your positive

future. Don’t have a victim mentality.

Pay Your Debts. Just as you don’t want injustice to harm you, don’t harm others by not paying

your debts. If you owe someone something, pay it back. Justice should be a two-way proposition.

Value Relationships.

People are the most valuable asset you have. It is unlikely that you will be able to reach your goal without help or advice from friends and sometimes from strangers. Learn how to nurture your relationships and how to reconcile when your relation-

ships go bad.

Don’t Go It Alone. You need continual support from people who value you. Develop relationships with people who will encourage you, tell you the truth about your mistakes, keep you in the right path, and empower you. This does not include people who will simply

bail you out and not hold you accountable for your actions.

Always Have Hope. Without hope, we become disillusioned at the first sign of disappointment.

With hope we can overcome anything, including homelessness. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Commit to Personal Renewal.

Personal growth is a never-ending process and a natural part of life. Commit yourself to bettering your relationships, education, skills, emotional and

physical health, and spiritual life.

A Life-Long Journey Remember that the process out of homelessness is a hopeful, continuing journey. Commit yourself to the steps above and to maintaining your personal health and

you will be on your way to a personal journey out of homelessness. *A Compilation

Then, you will not be sleeping in a public place like this. You will feel dignified, proud and happy

when you have a roof over your head.

Page 8: AHHA Moments

Front Row L to R: Back Row L to R:

Willy, Yolanda, Zenaida, Keapoi Tony, Lisa, Katherine Catherine (NS/CO Site Coordinator) Doran (Executive Director) Paul (Windward Site Coordinator) Tarik & Glenn Sandy, & Gina

Inset: Tino, Wendy, Domi, Ann and Shannon

!!!!

"#$!%&!'()*!+,&-!./)/0101-!.2!3"4$5!!!

(Addressee)

The AmeriCorps-AHHA Team

!