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i ~ q. <br /> March 15, 2006 <br /> Councilman Fred Holschuh, <br /> Chair of the Nonprofit Grant Review Committee <br /> Committee Members, <br /> Aloha Councilman Holschuh: <br /> <br /> The purpose of this letter is to express our enthusiastic support for the grant application for the <br /> Hamakua Youth Center as submitted by the YWCA. The monies received from this grant, if <br /> <br /> awarded, are very important in order for the Center to remain open and expand its programs. <br /> Five Mountains Hawaii has been active within the Hamakua District and the larger region of <br /> North Hawaii these past seven years helping to facilitate a variety of collaborative efforts to <br /> improve community health outcomes. Two of the community health improvement priorities <br /> identified by community leaders in the spring of 2000 were to reduce the rate of substance <br /> abuse among youth and to increase the availability of constructive youth activities. Perhaps the <br /> most visible initiative we have supported is the establishment and work of the North Hawaii <br /> Drug-Free Coalition since its inception in 2002. One of its member community task forces is <br /> Power of Choice Hamakua which has been very active in keeping the Center operational these <br /> past six months. Thus, we have a direct interest in the work of the Center and recognize its <br /> critical importance in addressing these community health improvement priorities. <br /> I have personally visited the Center a number of times recently and am highly encouraged by <br /> the excitement and renewed energy that is happening there. More students are using the <br /> Center, community members are more engaged in activities supporting the Center, and even <br /> the facility and its equipment have been improved. The momentum is definitely on the rise, <br /> and the funds provided by this grant will be critical to keeping this positive momentum building. <br /> In closing, I'd like to reiterate the strong support we have for this grant application. Mahalo for <br /> giving this proposal your serious consideration and support. <br /> Kindest regards, <br /> Pat Linton <br /> Executive Director <br /> Comm. No. <br /> Ref. To: <br /> ~ Ref. Uate <br /> <br />