H.T. Hayashi Foundation awarded $109,000 in new grant funding
At its February 2022 board meeting, the H.T. Hayashi Foundation awarded $109,000 in new grant funding to three local organizations supporting women survivors of interpersonal violence, at-risk youth, and children and individuals struggling with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the board approved the distribution of $105,000 of second-year funding to HUGS, Kalihi Palama Culture & Arts Society, and Make-A-Wish Hawaii, which touch the lives of seriously ill keiki and preserve Native Hawaiian culture and artistry. These organizations are in the middle of multi-year awards granted in February 2021.
In regards to the new awards, Jan Harada, executive director of the H.T. Hayashi Foundation stated, “As the state begins to emerge from the pandemic fog that has engulfed us over the past two years, the foundation believes that essential to our ability to navigate the challenges of the coming years, is focusing on the needs of some of the most vulnerable among us.” Additionally, Jan commented on the following considerations: “Domestic and interpersonal violence increased during the pandemic and female survivors are even more vulnerable than they were before. Youth who are already at-risk lost access to critical educational and social supports at a time when they most needed it. And children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, who rely heavily on social interaction and activities, suddenly lost the ability to engage and experienced real fear in reaching out.”
The Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) was awarded a $54,000 one-year grant in support of their Immigrant Triad program. The program addresses the unique and often more challenging needs of victims of violence from immigrant communities. The legs of the triad include an attorney providing direct legal representation, an advocate providing emotional and practical support in the courtroom and community, and a paralegal providing needed technical support during the legal process. This program began with the support of a VOCA (Victims Of Crime Act) grant and our support will help to continue what has proven to be a successful effort to better support immigrant victims of interpersonal violence.
The Pacific American Foundation was awarded a multi-year award for its NALU Studies Program totaling $90,000 over a three-year period. The foundation previously supported the NALU Studies program with a one-year grant and the Hayashi family has enjoyed getting to know the program’s team and some of the students who have benefitted from the program. NALU Studies and its director, Mr. Manning Taite III, work hard and are driven by a passion to help at-risk youth find a path forward that is positive, healthy and happy. The organization’s work is expanding and now includes the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. This multi-year commitment reflects the foundation’s trust in the program team, our belief that the impact is deep and long-lasting, and a belief that the organization and program have the same values we do.
Special Olympics Hawaii (SOHI) was awarded a multi-year award totaling $75,000 over the three-year period. This award will support SOHI’s efforts to address the challenges its athletes and families have faced over the past twenty months of the pandemic, and an “aftermath” of future negative impacts on health, wellness, and related areas. Our grant support will help fund part of the organization’s three-year plan to reengage athletes and revitalize in-person activities that focus on re-imagined outreach and education, the return of in-person activities, and increased on-site activities and community engagement. Over many years, SOHI has helped its program participants find independence, improve their overall health, and perhaps most importantly, helped them to feel valued and find joy in being seen and heard.
