HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0095.007 2018-2020 p/ FC
COHHA5
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time 1 U: f c r By MI'
Date 014/22119
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Hawaii
Testimony to the County of Hawaii
Finance Committee
Tuesday,April 23rd, 2019 at 9:15am
West Hawaii Civic Center
Aloha mai kakou. My name is Kimberly Kahoonei, the West Hawaii Island Regional Director
for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawaii Island. Mahalo for this opportunity to represent my
organization. Each year, we provide direct and in-direct services to about 400 children and youth
who face adversity in their lives by matching them with caring,
responsible mentors who are
professionally trained and supported by our case managers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawai'i Island also pairs children in one-to-one friendships with
volunteer mentors from nearby high schools, colleges, or the community through our School-
Based Program. We work with school counselors, administrators, and community partners to
identify youth who may benefit from the program. Every child we serve is unique, but we
typically work with youth from low-income and single parent households, as well as kids that are
of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent. Case Managers meet with interested students to
interview, screen, train, and enroll youth and volunteer mentors then provide weekly program
meetings thereafter.
In East and West Hawaii we currently work with the Hawaii Department of Education to host
mentoring programs for children at five schools: Keaau Elementary (with mentors from Keaau
High); Konawaena Elementary(with mentors from Konawaena High); Hilo Intermediate (with
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mentors from Hawaii Community College &University of Hawaii); Waiakea Elementary(with
mentors from Waiakea High); and Waimea Elementary School (with mentors from Hawaii
Preparatory Academy).
Our School-Based Program act as a prevented program. Through our programs we have an
understanding that effects from trauma and adverse experiences are passed on through
generations. Rather than create a continual cycle of trauma, our program is an opportunity to
provide youth tools they'll need to reach their full potential. One can compare this to a weighted
scale or a see-saw. By providing youth with a caring individual to support their growth, the scale
can be tipped one way to help them navigate through their potential challenges and help open
doors for opportunities to reach their full potential. Without a caring individual, the scale tips in
the opposite direction, which can potentially create long-term impacts that will require more and
even greater support down the road.
Our goal is to gain positive outcomes for youth in three main areas: educational success,
avoidance of risky behaviors, and increased social and emotional well-being. One of our Little
Brothers came into our program with a negative attitude towards school. Once he received
homework, it would go right into his backpack untouched or into the trash once given the
opportunity. Once matched with a Big Brother, his mentor encouraged a positive outlook on
school. Slowly, he went from not completing his homework to completing one worksheet a week
whenever he saw him. Gradually, his outlook shifted again to compiling his homework from
throughout the week to do everything assigned with his mentor.Now, he comes in proud to show
his completed work to his Big Brother and Case Manager, knowing with confidence he will
graduate from school and further his education some day.
Funds have helped Big Brothers Big Sisters build upon our existing programs and implement
new programs in response to the needs of our community. Having ample support means we can
adapt and build on our service model to fit the needs of the many diverse communities within
Hawaii Island as well as the new trends in youth development consistently cycling through and
changing from day to day.
We will continue to work diligently as protectors of potential to ensure every child has an
opportunity to achieve success.
•
Mahalo,
I •
Kimberly Kahoonei