AUW Safety Net Fund

Surveys show that half of all renters in Hawaiʻi pay more than 50% of their income on rent. They may sacrifice food and other necessities to afford housing and are often just one paycheck away from being homeless. Safety Net funds can help with emergency housing assistance and other programs to keep people in their homes.

2024 Housing Assistance Safety Net Partners:

• The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division (Oʻahu)
  • The Salvation Army in Honolulu County is providing emergency food boxes, meals-to-go, and emotional and spiritual support at various locations on the Oʻahu.

• Helping Hands Hawaiʻi
  • Helping Hands Hawaiʻi provides critical social services to improve people’s quality of life and empower them on their path to a better tomorrow. They run programs that benefit our diverse community, including Bilingual Access Line, Community Clearinghouse, Representative Payee, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach as well as seasonal projects and emergency support through our work with Hawaiʻi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

• Waikiki Community Center (WCC)
  • The Waikiki Community Center offers a variety of resources and tools designed to support individuals and families as they build meaningful relationships and develop new skills. Whether you’re here to participate in one of our educational programs, join a fitness class, or simply enjoy the company of your neighbors, WCC is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and enhancing the quality of life for all.

• Waimanalo Health Center (WHC)
  • Waimānalo Health Center is rooted in Native Hawaiian values and devoted to improving the health and wellness of all people, regardless of ability to pay, by providing comprehensive primary and preventive health care services of the highest quality.

With so many people uninsured or underinsured, many families are just one medical bill away from a financial crisis. At the same time, a shortage of affordable services means many people don’t get the care they need. The Safety Net Fund supports programs that bridge the gap.

2024 Community Care Safety Net Partners:

• Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi
  • The Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and does not charge their clients for legal services.
• Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi
  • Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi helps our blind and visually impaired friends and family members lead meaningful and productive lives through the use of appropriate aids, proper training, and opportunities. Their organization works closely with individuals, their teachers, parents, and support network to identify their needs and create customized solutions to overcome any challenges. The best part? It’s all free of charge to the individual or family!
• Parents And Children Together (PACT)
  • Parents And Children Together promotes meaningful and healthy relationships between parents and children, while creating support systems that empower people who often have nowhere else to turn. Their community-based services have grown into a multi-faceted organization with over 400 employees on Oʻahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Island of Hawaiʻi.
• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaiʻi (HBHM)
  • Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaiʻi is part of a network of organizations and individuals committed to improving Hawaiʻi’s maternal, child, and family health through collaborative efforts in programs, public education, advocacy, and partner development. Before, during, and after pregnancy, HMHB are here every step of the way.
• HUGS For Hawaiʻi’s Seriously Ill Children and Their Families (HUGS)
  • HUGS works to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s families and improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child. HUGS serves Hawaiʻi children, ages birth to 21 years, who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as cancer, cardiac issues, liver and kidney ailments, and chromosomal defects.

Food insecurity has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, and today an estimated 1 in 6 Hawaiʻi residents and 1 in 4 keiki experience hunger. Our Safety Net Fund supports food distribution programs island wide, feeding our local residents wherever there is need.

2024 Food Security Safety Net Partners:

• The Pantry by Feeding Hawaiʻi Together
  • The Pantry by Feeding Hawaiʻi Together provides a sustainable and reliable food source to individuals and families in need, promoting self-reliance and nutrition education. They utilize innovative technology to streamline food distribution, ensuring the community has access to fresh produce and essential groceries.
• Susannah Wesley Community Center
  • Susannah Wesley Community Center offers comprehensive services including food assistance to support low-income families and individuals. Their programs strive to enhance the community’s quality of life through education, job training, and health services.
• Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels, Inc.
  • Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels, Inc. provides nutritious meals and daily check-ins to homebound elderly and disabled individuals, promoting independence and dignity. The organization is committed to enhancing the well-being of its clients through compassionate and dedicated service delivery.
• Aloha Harvest
  • Aloha Harvest rescues quality excess food to donate to social service agencies that feed the hungry in Hawaiʻi. They aim to connect surplus with those in need, while also reducing food waste and its environmental impact.
• Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi
  • Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi provides a safe and nurturing environment where young people can develop essential skills, build healthy relationships, and foster a sense of community. Their programs focus on comprehensive youth development, including education, health, and leadership skills.
• YMCA of Honolulu
  • The YMCA of Honolulu offers programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, emphasizing values such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. They address food insecurity through various community outreach efforts and meal programs.
• Touch a Heart Inc.
  • Touch a Heart Inc. provides culinary training and life skills programs to help individuals overcome barriers to employment, while also addressing food insecurity through their social enterprise. They focus on empowering participants to achieve self-sufficiency and personal growth.
• Gregory House Programs
  • Gregory House Programs provides housing and related supportive services to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Their food service program specifically addresses nutritional needs to improve the overall health and stability of their clients.
• Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Inc.
  • Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Inc. is the primary source of food for many social service agencies throughout Hawaiʻi, working relentlessly to feed those in need. Their mission involves collecting, salvaging, and distributing food efficiently to combat hunger effectively.
• St. Francis Healthcare Foundation of Hawaiʻi
  • St. Francis Healthcare Foundation of Hawaiʻi supports a healthy community through sponsorships and partnerships that include food security initiatives. Their holistic approach aims to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of every individual.

Homelessness rose by more than 4% in 2023, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders making up 56% of the unhoused population. The Safety Net Fund supports critical services like shelters, case management, and access to health and hygiene services for those experiencing homelessness.

2024 Homeless Services Safety Net Partners:

• • Hale Kipa, Inc.
    • Hale Kipa, Inc. serves at-risk and homeless youth with specialized programs ranging from emergency shelters to outreach services. Their holistic approach aims to empower young individuals toward positive futures.
  • Residential Youth Services & Empowerment (RYSE)
    • RYSE provides emergency shelter and support services to homeless and runaway youth in Honolulu. Their comprehensive services include access to educational resources, healthcare, and life skills training, guiding youth towards stability and independence.
  • IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc.
    • IHS offers a range of services designed to prevent and end homelessness across communities in Hawaiʻi. From housing assistance to health services, IHS aims to help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity.
  • United States Veterans Initiative
    • The United States Veterans Initiative in Hawaiʻi is dedicated to ensuring the successful transition of veterans out of homelessness and into meaningful roles in society. They provide housing, employment, and mental health services customized for veterans’ unique needs.
  • Women in Need (WIN)
    • Women in Need provides transitional housing and supportive programs to empower women and families out of crisis situations, such as domestic violence and homelessness. They focus on building self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
  • Domestic Violence Action Center
    • The Domestic Violence Action Center provides advocacy, legal services, and support to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Their comprehensive programs aim to ensure survivors’ safety, rights, and well-being, securing a path out of abuse.
  • Family Promise of Hawaiʻi
    • Family Promise of Hawaiʻi aids families experiencing homelessness by delivering shelter, meals, and holistic support services. Their tailored programs guide families towards sustainable independence by focusing on housing stability and family empowerment.
  • Waikiki Health
    • Waikiki Health provides comprehensive health and social service programs to marginalized individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They integrate quality healthcare with supportive services to improve overall health and life chances.
  • The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.
    • The Mediation Center of the Pacific facilitates peaceful conflict resolution through affordable mediation and dispute resolution services. They aim to resolve conflicts that contribute to homelessness and strengthen community relationships.

• • River of Life Mission
    • River of Life Mission provides food, clothing, and community support to individuals experiencing homelessness in Honolulu. Their programs aim to offer hope and transform lives, focusing on meeting immediate needs and encouraging long-term self-sufficiency.
  • Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc.
    • The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. addresses poverty and its effects on individuals and families through comprehensive services, including housing assistance and supportive case management. Their mission is to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for personal and economic growth.
  • Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board, Inc.
    • Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board, Inc. delivers healthcare and outreach services to the underserved populations in Waiʻanae. Their services include primary care and housing support to address the holistic needs of their patients.

When people are already struggling to get by, a natural disaster can push them over the edge. Our Safety Net Fund supports disaster relief programs to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families affected by hurricanes, fires, flooding, and other disasters.

2024 Disaster Relief Safety Net Partners:

• American National Red Cross (O’ahu)
  • The American National Red Cross on O’ahu provides disaster relief and emergency assistance to individuals and families affected by natural and man-made disasters. Their services include shelter provision, food distribution, and emotional support, helping communities recover and rebuild.