HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0774.028 2018-2020 i
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COWIM
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY of WAIT
Allison Dunre
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June 4, 2020
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Aloha Chair Chung and Council Members,
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I am here today to express strong support for Communication 774.12 which in summary is increasing the operating
budget from$0 to$10,000 for the Hawaii County Committee on the Status Of Women.
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My name is Allison Dupre and I am a student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Upon graduating, I want to be an
advocate in the field of Women's Healthcare here in Hawaii.Along with being a student, I also work in the Women's
Center on campus where I am the lead program coordinator. Over the last few years at UH Hilo, I have been a part of
helping to create change in campus culture and make a difference in my community. In fall of 2018 1 had the honor of
working with prosecutors, social workers, and UH professors in planning the fourth annual domestic violence summit
which was about understanding the depths of intimate partner violence as well as how to take action against it.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I led a menstrual hygiene drive in which hundreds of products were dispersed
for students who were struggling to get basic needs to stay safe. This year I was also able to update the phone
numbers in the 2020 Family Services Directory which is a widely used resource for students on our campus.
On top of being a student and working at the Women's Center, I was nominated and appointed by UH President,
David Lassner,to serve as a student commissioner on the University of Hawaii President's Commission on the Status
of Women(UH-CSW). The UH-CSW is committed to improving the support,well-being, development, and
advancement of all women in the university community by actively promoting a safe working and learning
environment free of sexism and discrimination through policy, advocacy, and education.As a student commissioner, I
represent the students at UH Hilo and work to develop and implement changes in support of our mission on all ten
UH campuses.
It is essential, especially during times like these that we are able to fully support the mission of the Hawaii County
CSW which includes advocacy, education, collaboration and program development. COVID-19 has put a lot of
women back into old traditional roles which includes homeschooling children and being the stay at home parent. This
pandemic is also making women extremely vulnerable to domestic violence situations and there are very limited
resources to turn to. Hawaii County CSW needs funds to continue the needed education and advocacy for Hawaii
island women. I have personally witnessed the positive effects that CSW has been able to provide such as human
trafficking resources and teen dating violence programs.
Hawaii County CSW not only recognizes the need for awareness but also a call to action on these issues. A budget
of$10,000 is minimal, yet as the CSW has demonstrated,they have a proven track record of delivering on impactful
resources and programs.The budget proposed today is absolutely essential for this committee to keep providing the
resources and support for Hawaii Island women. Once again I am in full support of Communication 744.12 which
would increase the funds from$0 to$10,000 for the Hawaii County Commission on the Status of Women.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify,
Allison Dupre
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Ref. Date JUN 4 2020