Fall 2009

THE FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM Serving families who are homeless and in transition to self-sufficient living

Board of Directors

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Aloha! It is my pleasure to introduce our inaugural issue of The Maui Farm newsletter, “planting seeds, growing families”, which we are sharing with friends and supporters of The Maui Farm.

Given the challenges of the current economic situation, The Maui Farm (TMF) has gone through a transition over the last few years. We are now serving our community by offering programs for individuals and f a m i l i e s w h o a r e transit ioning to self -

sufficiency. We have positioned ourselves to continue to provide relevant programs that support our mission of service for t r o u b l e d y o u t h a n d struggling families, and to nurture their growth and development as responsible and contributing members of their family and community.

We are very excited about our programs and services, and we are confident The Maui Farm will continue to maintain the quality in our programs that

our youth and families deserve. Please take time to browse through the articles for updates on these activities. As always, we welcome feedback from all.

As a final comment, I would like to express my thanks on behalf of the Board of Directors of The Maui Farm for your continued support of our organization.

Enjoy! David Grooms, Chairperson

After a back injury required Yolanda to undergo surgery and take time off for recovery, she learned that she had been laid off from her job. At the time, Yolanda and her three children were renting a home from a family member, and she was able to meet the family’s basic needs. However, she found herself at risk of homelessness after incidents of family violence with her landlord, and she reached out for help at the emergency shelter operated by Women Helping Women.

She also made the difficult decision to place her oldest son with family members during this time.

The staff at Women Helping Women saw the opportunity to reunify this family in a safe and supportive neighborhood at The Maui Farm, and they made the referral to the F a m i l y S t r e n g t h e n in g Program. Once Yolanda and her family were accepted into the program, she saw that a brighter future was possible. “We were so happy

because it was an answered prayer to have a good home for my family. The Maui Farm is a blessing because it also brought my family back together again.”

Living upcountry, a reliable vehicle is a necessity for self-sufficiency, and Yolanda did not have a car. Within days of being accepted to live at The Maui Farm, a donated vehicle became available through the Aloha Shares Network / Maui Recycling Group, and the donors were happy to

see their 1996 mini-van make a real difference for this struggling family.

Today, Yolanda and her kids have settled in to their home at The Maui Farm, and the boys love farm life and caring for plants and animals.

Yolanda & her sons are happy at The Maui Farm

CHAIRPERSON David Grooms

VICE-CHAIRPERSON Jo-Ann Ridao

SECRETARY/TREASURER Peggy Haake

DIRECTORS Carol Ellerton Debbi Katz Scott Meidell Brenda Nouskajian Lorelle Peros Diane Tavares Mark Vaught

Page 2 The Maui Farm

THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM Supporting older youth in a successful transition to self-sufficiency

Jade arrived at The Maui Farm at age 19, a single mother with a 2 year old daughter, and a participant in the Maui Family Court Drug Court Program. In the supportive community at The Maui Farm, Jade discovered that she had the ability to set goals and achieve them. She talks with pride about her successes -- getting her first job and maintaining employment for over a year, graduating from the Drug Court Program, fulfilling CPS requirements to maintain custody of her daughter, obtaining her drivers license and purchasing her first car and insurance, accepting tutoring from TMF volunteer Kupuna Carl Griffith and passing her GED. “Living at The Maui Farm was the first time in my life that I had lived in a drug-free environment”, Jade reported.

“Today, I am happy to say that I remain drug-free, and I have grown to be a better parent to my daughter”.

Jade has been a contributing member of TMF community, providing transportation for her peers and offering support to young women entering the Independent Living Program. She has demonstrated her ability to manage her monthly budget and balance her responsibilities as a parent. We are happy to report that Jade and her daughter transitioned to an affordable home in the community in August.

ILP Houseparent Debbi Parcher sums up Jade’s accomplishments in this way: “I have observed Jade’s

transformation from a shy young lady who lacked direction and structure in her life, into a confident, caring mother who is enthusiastic about her future, clear on her goals, and able to advocate on behalf of herself and her daughter. ”

Jade & Jacelyn enjoying a fun learning activity at “home” at The Maui Farm.

In response to a request from our partner agency Family Life Center, The Maui Farm is now offering a training program for persons who are caught in the cycle of homelessness.

The Malama ʻO Ponoʻi Training Program teaches simple and healthy ways for people to nurture and care for themselves to create an improved sense of well-being. TMF Program Director Donna Vida guides participants in developing personal insight and identifying their goals and dreams, while creating a plan of action that supports their desire to make positive changes that

will move them forward in life. Residents of Maui County who are homeless and receiving emergency shelter or outreach services through the Family Life Center and Women Helping Women are eligible to participate.

We extend our sincere thanks to the County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns for providing startup funding to pilot this program.

MALAMA ʻO PONOʻI TRAINING PROGRAM Self-awareness training for individuals who are homeless to promote forward movement towards self-sufficiency

“I have learned that by letting go of

the past I can change my thinking

and I can focus on the positive

things happening in my life.”

FUNDING FOR THE MAUI FARM

FY 2010

Gratitude Pillow

You can help The Maui Farm meet its FUNDRAISINGFUNDRAISING GOALGOAL and continue our important work in the Maui County community. Please make a generous donation today.

45%

22%

5%

10%

8%

10%

County of Maui

State of Hawaii

Federal Government

Private Trusts & Foundations

Other Revenues & Fees

Fundraising & Donations

Page 3 Fall 2009

EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM Positive experiences with people, plants and animals

Prevention Initiative funded by the U.S. D e p a r t m e n t o f J u s t i c e a n d administered through the Hawaii Community Foundation. This grant also supported expansion of the EAP to provide a weekly after-school program for families from Women He lp ing Women’s emergency shelter.

The farm-based Experiential Activities Program promotes gardening as a h e a l t h y f a m i l y activity, and offers

The Experiential Activities Program is Growing!

Since 1993 when TMF first opened its doors providing family-style group homes for youth in foster care, one of our most popular and effective services has been the farm-based Experiential Activities Program (EAP). Over the last year we have had resources to enhance the infrastructure for this program, thanks to a grant for the Maui County Crystal Methamphetamine

values training while teaching skills in sustainable agriculture and growing food for the family.

The two-acre therapeutic farm is home to our “outdoor classrooms”, which provide diverse opportunities for hands-on activit ies in agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry, along with having lots of fun. The photos tell the rest of this story!

and basil throughout our growing areas.

For all of you gardeners who have problems with Japanese beetles, try using fresh garlic, rue or tansy to repel them. And don’t forget to plant plenty of dill and zinnias to attract beneficial pest-eating bugs. Your vegetables will flourish with the aid of their companion friends.

At The Maui Farm, we are growing over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers. This diversity is key to our gardening success. Companion planting, an old tradition of grouping plants together for better growth and pest control, is a cornerstone of our organic farming techniques. Here, we’ve had great success with the inter-planting of marigolds, mints

The Maui Farm knows there is much commonality between growing people and growing plants. One thing they have in common is that both people and plants experience many benefits from good companionship.

GARDEN GOSSIP

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paula Ambre

PROGRAM DIRECTOR Donna Vida

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katherine Yoder

PROGRAM ASSISTANT Lahela Han

ILP HOUSEPARENT AND FSP FAMILY ADVOCATE

Debra Parcher

ILP COORDINATOR AND FSP FAMILY ADVOCATE

Yolanda Diaz

AGRICULTURE TEACHER Lori Kulhavy

FACILITIES MANAGER Jeffrey Alexander

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The mission of The Maui Farm is to provide long-term care and supportive services for troubled youth and their families, while nurturing their growth and development to become responsible, contributing members of the community. The Maui Farm provides residential services in an "ʻOhana Model" farm-based family style environment.

P.O. Box 1776 Makawao, HI 96768

The Maui Farm Planting seeds. Growing families.

Phone: 808.579.8271 Fax: 808.579.9055 eMail: info@themauifarm.org

The Maui Farm teaches the use of daily affirmations as a tool that supports us in creating joy and harmony in our life. Try repeating this affirmation at the start of your day.

“My day begins with gratitude and joy. I look forward with enthusiasm to the adventures of the day, knowing that in my life, ‘All is good’. I love who I am and all that I do. All is well in my world.”

“Planting Seeds of Love”

Positive Thoughts … For Life!

The Maui Farm Website www.themauifarm.org

• Volunteers to provide child care while their parents attend classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon at TMF campus

• Volunteer gardeners to assist in our plant nursery and community gardens on weekdays

• Newsletter Sponsors to underwrite production costs, printing and mailing

Wish List

Ashley (Independent Living Program participant), upon her graduation from the Maui Community College Certified Nursing Assistant Program and employment at Hale Makua

Jade and Jacelyn, for successfully completing the Independent Living Program

Makanani and Kaeo, for successfully completing the Family Strengthening Program

CONGRATULATIONS!

Diane Tavares, Carol Ellerton, and Scott Meidell, our newest members of The Maui Farm Board of Directors

Paula Ambre, Executive Director, who has been accepted into the Hawaii Community Foundation’s PONO 7 Leadership Development Program

Mahalo to: for partial sponsorship of this newsletter. www.solutionsva.com