faith-based summit on homelessness€¦ · unsheltered homeless persons on their properties;...
TRANSCRIPT
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Faith-Based Summit on Homelessness
2016-03-11
On March 14th, 2016, IHS responded to the faith-based community's plea for help by coordinating and
hosting Hawaii's first Faith Summit on Homelessness at Central Union Church. While faith-based
organizations do their best to meet the needs of homeless people coming to them for help, we often heard
from many that they are overwhelmed and are in need of information and resources to help them help others.
Hawai?i's Faith-Based Summit on Homelessness built capacity in people of faith to better meet the needs of
unsheltered homeless persons on their properties; partner with homeless service providers and government
resources; and create ministries rooted in faith and founded on best practices. over 150 people representing
more than 30 congregations attended this event.
Two plenary speakers provided great insight to the issue of homelessness:
Connie Mitchell, Executive Director of IHS presented on The Changing Face of Homelessness & Lessons
Learned These Past 37 Years.
Download Powerpoint Presentation Here
State Attorney General, Doug Chin also presented on Legal Issues Surrounding Respite and Housing.
Download Powerpoint Presentation Here
Workshop presentation descriptions are posted below with links to materials provided by presenters. Some
presentations were simply made orally, in which case no presentation is available.
The conference booklet contains a series of interfaith approaches to homelessness and solicited by summit
co-sponsor The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii. Our hope is that our continued work together will help people
draw upon their spiritual beliefs to act to address homelessness with compassion and real solutions.
Download Conference Booklet Here
Hawaii State Attorney General, Doug Chin, delivers his plenary at the Faith Summit on Homelessness
Workshop 1: Who you gonna call?
Jerry Coffee, IHS Clinical Director
Justin Phillips, IHS Senior Field Outreach Manager
Audience learned about what to do when a homeless person comes to your campus. This included
information about how to approach them, ascertain if they want help, and how to refer clients to social
services. Discussions included how to best care for someone experiencing a mental health crisis and how to
understand and respond to addiction.
Download: Finding help: A human services directory for the State of Hawaii
Workshop 2: Wise Handouts
Josh Jensen, IHS Volunteer Coordinator
Rubie Helekahi, IHS Clinical Program & Training Coordinator
Cheryl Takabayashi, Wellspring Covenant Church - Lay Minister
Audience learned about how to decide when to give their funds and resources; when to refer to social service
agencies; and how to work with case managers, especially if wanting to sponsor someone through treatment
and/or housing. Discussion included the types of donations that are most helpful and when to give.
Download: Welcome Home Basket How To Guide
Workshop 3: Living and Talking Through Our Faith
Terry Yasuko Ogawa, IHS Chaplain
Cecilia Forham, The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii
Audience learned about how to connect their faith to their response to homelessness; including the range
between charity and justice, and discern how to have the conversation when there are conflicting views
about how best to engage.
Download: Living and Talking Through Our Faith Workshop Presentation
Jun Yang, John Heidel, Cecilia Fordham and Dick Walenta at the Faith Summit on Homelessness
Workshop 4: Prophetic Witness
Gavin Thornton, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Executive Director
Betty Lou Larson, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, Social Policy & Legislative Liaison
David Gierlach, St. Elizabeth's Church
Bob Nakata, Faith Action for Community Equality
Audience leanred how to address the systems that perpetuate homelessness, from housing policy, to public
benefits, and minimum wages. Discussion included legislative bills that address homelessness in the 2016
legislative session, as well as ongoing need for future policy changes.
Download: Partners In Care 2016 Legislative Priorities
Download: Addressing Poverty in Hawaii Powerpoint Presentation
Peanut Butter Ministry Award
In keeping with the spirit of Father Claude DuTeil, IHS established an inaugural Peanut Butter Ministry
Award and awarded it to St. Mary's Church of Moiliili for demonstrating an ability to transform its ministry
to meet the needs of people who are homeless throughout its community. St. Mary's Church truly
demonstrated leadership by establishing the St. Mary's of Moiliili Homeless Service Center that takes place
on the last Thursday of every month. The center allows unsheltered and at-risk individuals to access free
meals, receive haircuts, collect donated clothes, and access services - such as housing, employment, case
management, and other social services.
Former Executive Director, Fr. Richard Rowe (1990-1991) visits Fr. Gregory Johnson at St. Mary's of Moiliili
To refer homeless on your property, please send information to:
Vinnesha Bertola
Homeless Outreach Program Manager
Contact: 808-447-2929
Email: [email protected]
Faith-community individuals and organization may connect with IHS' Chaplaincy Program:
Terry Yasuko Ogawa
Chaplain & Community Liaison
Contact: 808-447-2842
Email: [email protected]
Media & Marketing Inquiries:
Kimo Carvalho
Community Relations Director & Spokesperson
Contact: 808-447-2845
Email: [email protected]