HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.002 1996-1998
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THE SALVATION ARMY
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P.O BO% 5085 / HILO, HAWAII95]241085 /PHONE 959-5855 ••i°°•~O~ (O
FOUNDED IN 1855 ~ . ~
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March 19, 1997
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TESTIMONY OF THE SALVATION ARMY-HILO INTERIN~FIIOMb~
ON
FY 1997-98 APPLICATION FOR NON-PROFIT GRANT FUNDS
TO: THE HONORABLE JOHN RAY, CHAIRMAN
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
FROM: ALVIN M. JITCHAKU, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
THE SALVATION ARMY-H[LO INTERIM HOME
Since July 1994, funds awazded by the Hawaii County Council have benefited the Keaau-Puna
community by providing activities and counseling to youth and their families. The Outreach
Counselor funded through this grant serves as the counseling component of the Keaau Youth
Service Center which is funded by the State Office of Youth Services through a contract with the
Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu. The focus of this position has been to provide counseling
through individual and Family sessions to assist in redirecting "at-risk" youth to more positive
activities. In addition, the Outreach Counselor assists youth at the Youth Service Center in such
activities as educational and social skill development, organized recreation and crafts, and
community service projects.
The Youth Service Center was established in October 1994 and served 162 youth during FY95.
The Outreach Counselor provided individual counseling and support services to 60 youth and
families. In FY96, 203 youth were served at the Center, with 88 youth and families receiving
individual and support services. The Outreach Counselor also works with school personnel in
monitoring the school progress of students served, and arranges for referrals to community
resources as indicated.
In 1995, a one yeaz youth gang drug prevention planning project for the Volcano community was
completed through funding from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The
findings were that the Volcano community is experiencing serious alcohol and drug problems
among its youth, For several years, police officials have reported the difficulty in providing public
safety in the azea. Elementary and middle school students attend Mt. View Elementary and Keaau
Intermediate and Elementary School respectively via bus, which prevents them from participating
in after school activities. Youth returning to the Volcano area have little organized activities
available to them. An article in the December 22, 1996 Hawaii Tribune-Herald calls attention to
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this problem. It reported a rash of burglaries in the community attributed to youths who have too
much time on their hands and are without adequate supervision. Other problems noted were
thefts, vandalism, and suspected drug dealing at the community center parking lot.
We seek your support in continued funding for the Outreach Counselor position and additional
funding for shelf--time Youth Service Specialist to provide after school activities at Cooper
Center in the Volcano community.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify today.
,f'" Pauline Pavao
aaa Administrator