Aloha United Way: Photo Essay

Aloha United Way donations help the Mission serve more than 15,000 free hot meals every month and provide services to needy people from all walks of life: the homeless, the elderly, the addicted, the mentally ill, the forgotten veteran, the disabled individual, families with children, the aging prostitute and those recently released from prison.

As the sun rises, hundreds line up at the River Of Life Mission in Chinatown for a hot meal.

Aloha United Way donations help the Mission serve more than 15,000 free hot meals every month and provide services to needy people from all walks of life: the homeless, the elderly, the addicted, the mentally ill, the forgotten veteran, the disabled individual, families with children, the aging prostitute and those recently released from prison.

A Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center nurse case manager checks an elderly homeless client’s blood pressure. Donations to Aloha United Way enable the center to go out into the community to provide medical care and supplies, food, clothing, toys and other items as available to the homeless and/or uninsured.

A Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center nurse case manager checks an elderly homeless client’s blood pressure. Donations to Aloha United Way enable the center to go out into the community to provide medical care and supplies, food, clothing, toys and other items as available to the homeless and/or uninsured.

A case manager works with a sheltered homeless family to assess their needs and help them find housing.

Arts and crafts time. Residents sharpen their concentration and cognitive skills while spending some social time with other residents. Your Aloha United Way donations help support over 100 elderly residents at the Home and its mission to provide a continuum of care to Hawaii’s seniors.

Aloha United Way 2-1-1 staff members assist callers and review the more than 4,000 programs available for people in need of assistance with food, rent, utilities, health/dental insurance and more. The free 2-1-1 informational and referral hotline takes more than 45,000 calls every year.

Every 4 days, the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter responds to a call for help in the islands. Donations to Aloha United Way help the agency provide immediate emergency needs like temporary housing, food, clothing and counseling for disaster victims. The volunteer in this photo is one of the approximately 3,000 who help the agency.

A morning appointment at Aloha Medical Mission’s Dental Clinic in Palama Settlement. Your Aloha United Way donation supports the only free dental clinic in Hawaii. Aloha Medical Mission has one full-time staff dentist and 20 volunteer dentists who provide the uninsured with everything from exams, to cleanings, fillings and extractions.

A Dress for Success client gets suited for an upcoming job interview. The YWCA of Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program has helped over 4,000 women get back on their feet in the past 11 years. The YWCA of Oahu has been an Aloha United Way partner agency since 1919.

Each morning, outside the grounds of Kokua Kalihi Valley, employees raise their hands in prayer, giving thanks to the aina for its bounty.

At the same time, inside Kokua Kalihi Valley's clinic a senior receives the medical support she needs from friendly staff.

At the same time, a keiki develops eye-hand coordination through interactive game play at Kokua Kalihi Valley's preschool. Aloha United Way donations help Kokua Kalihi Valley promote health from keiki to kupuna.

Copper, a single mother of 6, enjoys a book with her child at Maili Land. Your Aloha United Way donation supports Maili Land Transitional Housing Program, a program of Catholic Charities Hawaii.

Maili Land is a 44-unit project in Leeward Oahu for families with children who are homeless and unsheltered. Education, employment preparation and case management services are required components of the program to help families gain the skills and resources needed to transition successfully to permanent housing.

Maili Land is a 44-unit project in Leeward Oahu for families with children who are homeless and unsheltered. Education, employment preparation and case management services are required components of the program to help families gain the skills and resources needed to transition successfully to permanent housing.

Physical activities are a part of the daily schedule for Abilities Unlimited. There is also an employment program to help individuals with disabilities gain and maintain good jobs. Aloha United Way funding helps to support programs that assist people with disabilities realize their full potential.

Physical activities are a part of the daily schedule for Abilities Unlimited. There is also an employment program to help individuals with disabilities gain and maintain good jobs. Aloha United Way funding helps to support programs that assist people with disabilities realize their full potential.

A foster teen contemplates her future as she transitions out of foster care. Family Programs Hawaii’s Mentoring Connection provides volunteer mentors to help about 100 kids a year emancipate from foster care.

A toddler is all smiles during a hearing and vision test. The staff of Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii makes the process fun while easing children’s fears. Thanks to your donations to Aloha United Way, in the past five years, more than 6,000 keiki have been screened and treated for vision, hearing or developmental delays so they will enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Thanks to your donations to Aloha United Way, in the past five years, more than 6,000 keiki have been screened and treated for vision, hearing or developmental delays so they will enter kindergarten ready to learn.

A high school senior in foster care prepares for college thanks to the help of the eXcel program at Family Programs Hawaii. This can be a daunting task for a transitioning foster youth without added support and services. Aloha United Way donations help the program prepare them for postsecondary education or vocational training.

There are 6,000 kids in Hawaii’s foster care system. Knowing you are not alone makes navigating the child welfare system easier.

Children at Variety School of Hawaii enjoy instructional playtime in the schools’ multi-purpose room.

Aloha United Way assists Variety School’s mission in identifying and educating children with autism, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder through the use of a multidisciplinary approach.

Puff, an 8-year-old certified service dog, makes a morning visit in Ewa Beach to see a girl at the Kulana Malama Nursing Home for medically fragile children. This is part of Hawaii Fi-Do’s mission to promote health and well-being through regular visits and interaction with dozens of patients every month.

Aloha United Way donations help with the cost of breeding, raising and training assistance dogs for patients.

Volunteer Nikki Ono helps a patient with meal. Your donations to Aloha United Way play a valuable role in providing respite and support to patients and their families during the last months, weeks and days of life.

Families come together to learn together in Waimanalo at the Na Pono No Na Ohana Program – provided by the Partners in Development Foundation.

The Na Pono No Na Ohana Program integrates progressive teaching methods with Native Hawaiian cultural values to serve keiki up to age 5 and their caregivers in at-risk communities. Your donations to Aloha United Way helped these programs serve over 4,000 keiki and adults last year.

Alex Teece talks to the keiki of Hale Kula Elementary School sharing a lesson on citizenship, leadership and values. He’s part of Teach for America, a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach in urban and rural public schools for two years then become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity. Teach for America joined Aloha United Way in 2008.

Just outside the Hawaii Cedar Church off of School Street, a morning line forms for free food and produce from Aloha Harvest. Aloha Harvest gathers donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies. Food drops like these have become a lifeline for thousands of our Kupuna who are struggling to get by on low, fixed incomes.

Aloha Harvest gathers donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies. Food drops like these have become a lifeline for thousands of our Kupuna who are struggling to get by on low, fixed incomes.

During a mid-morning classroom session at Assets School, a student problem-solves as his instructor looks on.

Assets is an independent school for bright children with learning differences such as dyslexia. Its environment helps to empower students to maximize their potential and to find their place as life-long learners in society.

At 10 a.m. the doors open to a Hawaii Foodbank warehouse at Word of Life Christian Center on Queen Street stocked with food, clothing and household items.

After waiting for several hours in line, more than 200 homeless and working-poor individuals moved through the lines. Aloha United Way donations help support the Ohana Produce Plus Program, which distributes over 7 million pounds of fresh produce and other food to an average of 13,000 people a month on Oahu.

Afternoon fun. Since 1919, Aloha United Way has partnered with KCAA to help fund the playtime, creative activity, problem solving, and other building blocks of early education that have served more than 100,000 preschool children. Early learning and early literacy is a top priority for Aloha United Way.

VASH President Jessica Lani Rich assists the Westphal family, victims of fraud. The visitors from California rented a condo through Craigslist and found it didn’t exist. VASH found them a place to stay and gave them amenities. Your donation to Aloha United Way supports VASH’s ability to show “aloha” to as many as 2,200 visitors a year who have been victims of crime or other challenges during their stay.

On this day the photographer took this picture this man had just found out he had gotten off the streets and into an apartment. Helping Hands Hawaii, an Aloha United Way partner agency, allowed him to shop for free for donated furniture, clothing, small electrics and other supplies he would need for his new home. Helping Hands Hawaii helps thousands each year realize their full potential and change their lives.

Troops take a moment to relax and spend some much-needed family time in the USO Hawaii family lounge.

For more than 70 years, the USO has cared for our wounded heroes, supporting families of the fallen and helping service members’ transition back into civilian life.

For more than 70 years, the USO has cared for our wounded heroes, supporting families of the fallen and helping service members’ transition back into civilian life.

More than 800 women in Hawaii are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. The Hawaii affiliate of Susan G. Komen comforts and guides women through treatment of the disease. Aloha United Way donations help fund grants for free mammograms, which have been instrumental in increasing the five-year survival rate from 74 percent to 98 percent in the last 30 years.

An employee at the Beretania Street Goodwill store restocks garment racks with gently-used clothing ready for shoppers. Your patronage of Aloha United Way agency Goodwill stores funds job training and job placement programs throughout the state.

Last year, your donations to Aloha United Way helped Goodwill place more than 1,600 individuals in jobs and provide services to more than 13,000 people.

On this day, we found members of the Council recording their television series at Olelo television studios. President & CEO Michelle Kauhane talks with Wendy Roylo-Hee, Executive Director of the Native Hawaiian Education Council, about services her staff provides. Aloha United Way donations help the Council’s efforts to support organizations focused on Native communities in Hawaii and the Pacific.

Children from Child & Family Service’s Hale O Ulu program begin another day of learning. Hale O Ulu is a private alternative for youth in grades 7-12 who have had challenges in the public school system. Last year, your donations to Aloha United Way helped to serve over 150 at-risk students. Child and Family Service’s core service areas include: preventing and treating child abuse and neglect, preventing and reducing domestic violence, helping at-risk youth with challenges to improve their lives, and helping our seniors age in place.

Little sister Paige spends some quality time with her big sister. Aloha United Way helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii match at-risk children with carefully screened and trained volunteer mentors.

Little brother Anthony spend some quality time with his big brother and sisters. Aloha United Way helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii match at-risk children with carefully screened and trained volunteer mentors. Because of these often lifelong friendships, children are more likely to get better grades, say no to drugs and alcohol, and believe in hope and higher aspirations for their future.

Little brother Matt plays a game with his big brother. Because of these often lifelong friendships, children are more likely to get better grades, say no to drugs and alcohol, and believe in hope and higher aspirations for their future.

Habilitat’s Food Service and Catering department has provided vocational training to over 400 individuals. The catering business and “All Kind Grindz” lunch wagon helps raise money for scholarships.

Habilitat’s Maintenance team has trained more than 60 people for jobs in plumbing, painting, drywall repair, landscaping, carpentry, and more. (Bottom Right) Anyone who enters Habilitat without a high school education is immediately enrolled in G.E.D. or C-Base classes, which have helped hundreds obtain their high school diploma.

Anyone who enters Habilitat without a high school education is immediately enrolled in G.E.D. or C-Base classes, which have helped hundreds obtain their high school diploma.

Sarah, 6, Chloe, 2, and Zachariah, 10, enjoy some quality family time at the HUGS Center in Kaimuki. The Oahu family has rallied around Chloe for the past 2 years as she has undergone cardiac surgery. As an Aloha United Way agency, HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support) provides family support as well as emergency medical airfare, respite and peer services for families coping with a child with a life-threatening illness.

Twice-weekly Tai Chi classes, a quality early education program, and a social weekly scrabble match are just some of the many activities happening this day at the Waikiki Community Center serving elders and children. The Waikiki Community Center has been a partner agency of Aloha United Way since it started in 1978, helping to address physical, mental, emotional health and critical human services for those in need.

The Waikiki Community Center has been a partner agency of Aloha United Way since it started in 1978, helping to address physical, mental, emotional health and critical human services for those in need.

This is a truly special day in Kapolei for 14 Make-A-Wish Hawaii kids. The children were treated to the “ultimate fan experience,” attending the Pro Bowl draft, meeting the players, attending the Pro Bowl Game and also experiencing fun activities in between. With help from Aloha United Way donations, Make-A-Wish hopes to grant 90 wishes to local keiki this year.

A quality early education program is just one of the many activities happening this day at the Waikiki Community Center serving elders and children.

An Institute for Human Services worker checks on the agency’s Rooftop Training and Education Center, which produces 50-75 pounds of vegetables every one to two weeks to keep food costs down, provide healthier meal options, and provide urban agriculture training for IHS guests.

An IHS volunteer assists a girl living at the shelter with her homework. In addition to shelter services, IHS offers programs for the homeless like health care and children’s enrichment services. Aloha United Way donations play a big role in helping over 500 people a year receive support at IHS.

At Farrington High School, the students of T-Shirt Theatre perform a choral reading of “Lychee Tree.” For more than 27 years, this small theatre company has been working with kids to raise the hopes, skills and spirits of students in the Kalihi area.

At Farrington High School, the students of T-Shirt Theatre perform a choral reading of “Lychee Tree.” For more than 27 years, this small theatre company has been working with kids to raise the hopes, skills and spirits of students in the Kalihi area.

Keiki at the Charles C. Spalding Clubhouse on Waiola Street enjoy a spirited game of basketball after school as their coach motivates them. Experiences like this at the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii help develop character. Aloha United Way donations help the agency inspire young people to become responsible citizens by giving them a safe place to learn and grow. At 12 different locations, the Boys and Girls Club serves over 14,000 youth a year.

Experiences like this at the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii help develop character. Aloha United Way donations help the agency inspire young people to become responsible citizens by giving them a safe place to learn and grow.

At 12 different locations, the Boys and Girls Club serves over 14,000 youth a year.

Brendan is comforted in the arms of his new, loving parents. Peter and Jemma adopted Brendan locally with the help of Hawaii International Child’s Ka Makana domestic adopton program.

Natalie and Todd play with Leila, who they adopted in 2013 from China through the Hawaii International Child Agency's China Waiting Child Program. Aloha United Way donations help support the cost of both processes.

Student Victoria spends the afternoon reading at Liliha Public Library. Every day, thousands access the incredible array of free books, computers, programs and resources thanks to the work of Friends of the Library of Hawaii (FLH). Your support of Aloha United Way helps further FLH’s mission to support and promote the state’s 50 free, public libraries.

A patient speaks to an outreach/eligibility worker about healthcare options while getting a checkup.

Aloha United Way supports Waimanalo Health Center’s commitment to providing the highest level of primary and preventive health services, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

On this day Renan, 94 years old, enjoyed one of his regular visits from the ohana at Lanakila Meals on Wheels, a program of Lanakila Pacific. Hawaii’s largest island-wide meal provider for seniors delivers more than 200,000 nutritious meals every year.

The companionship Lanakila’s 200 volunteers provide is just as important. Aloha United Way directs significant funding to this program for homebound seniors and others in need. (Editor’s note: Shortly after we visited with Renan and shot this photograph, he passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we thank them for allowing us to honor him in this publication.)

On this day, student volunteers gathered at the Hawaii State Capitol to alert people about the dangers of methamphetamine drug use.

The Hawaii Meth Project’s hard-hitting TV, radio, print, online, mobile and social media campaigns send a clear message to kids about the dangers of trying Meth.

Hawaii Meth Project's life-saving information along with community outreach, school programs, public policy and media messaging is funded in part by Aloha United Way donations.

This man who lives on his boat has received a hot meal daily for the past 14 years thanks to Hawaii Meals on Wheels. The visits also play an important part in checking on his well-being as he doesn’t have any known family.

Talking story with Claire, Executive Director of Hawaii Meals on Wheels, is one of this HGEA union member’s favorite pastimes. As a former City and County employee, he had a lot of interaction with people. Now, as a homebound senior, he looks forward to not only receiving a hot meal every Friday, but the social interaction as well. Over 80,000 meals a year are served on Oahu, partly thanks to your donations to Aloha United Way.

A team consults an individual at Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii on a pressing legal matter. The agency provides free legal services on everything from divorce to healthcare directives to immigration matters to Hawaii’s low-income community. Aloha United Way donations help enable the Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii staff to recruit, train and support pro bono attorneys and offer empowering community clinics and workshops.

A father who lost his job and home uses the kitchen at Family Promise of Hawaii to make a healthy meal for his two young children.

Aloha United Way directs large amounts of impact funding through Poverty Prevention programs like this one, focused on helping homeless families with children stay off the streets.

The mother and father of this family both work, but struggle to make ends meet. On this day, they are one of many families receiving assistance from Family Promise of Hawaii. As one of the top two funding sources for Family Promise of Hawaii, Aloha United Way donations go to support more than 200 parents and children every year as they learn skills that get them back on their feet and into a home.

Aloha United Way supports the Girl Scouts Of Hawaii’s mission in developing girl leaders for today as well as for the future.

Members of Girl Scouts of Hawaii work together contributing to the Design It! Build It! Launch It! Program creating a micro lab that will eventually be sent to the ISS Space Station.

Members of Girl Scouts of Hawaii work together contributing to the Design It! Build It! Launch It! Program creating a micro lab that will eventually be sent to the ISS Space Station. Aloha United Way supports the Girl Scouts Of Hawaii’s mission in developing girl leaders for today as well as for the future.

Special Olympians and volunteers high-five after a fun workout. Your Aloha United Way donation helps the organization serve more than 3,500 athletes statewide without any cost to the individual.

More than 8,000 volunteers also lend love and support through 45 Special Olympics competitions every year.

A Special Olympics athlete goes for a personal record while training for the State Summer Games. The agency empowers athletes through 9 sports: powerlifting, track and field, swimming, bocce, basketball, softball, bowling, soccer and golf.

Aloha United Way donations help the Mission serve more than 15,000 free hot meals every month and provide services to needy people from all walks of life: the homeless, the elderly, the addicted, the mentally ill, the forgotten veteran, the disabled individual, families with children, the aging prostitute and those recently released from prison.