20 nonprofit Twenty Hawaii nonprofit organizations have received nearly $50,000 in grants from the AlohaCare Neighbors Program to improve the quality of health in communities.
agencies receive
AlohaCare grants
AlohaCare donates $50,000 for
health and family programsStar-Bulletin staff
Kawaihine Kamakea-Ohelo, AlohaCare board president, said: "We had many excellent projects to choose from. It's encouraging to see that there are organizations out there working hard to improve the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii.
"By supporting these projects and returning some of our income back to the community, we hope to empower the people to improve the quality of life in their own neighborhoods."
Projects were selected for funding to improve all areas of physical and mental health, prevention and child care.
For example, Mary Meinel, health and safety services director of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross, said: "Some teens are forced to assume incredible responsibility for their siblings and young relatives.
"Thanks to AlohaCare, 20 young people, ages 11 to 15, will be trained to manage real-life emergencies, basic care for infants and toddlers, child development, role modeling and safe play."
John McComas, AlohaCare chief executive officer, pointed out that each community has different needs.
"That's why we rely on these organizations to help us identify how AlohaCare can improve the health of Hawaii's communities. It takes more than just health-care coverage to be a good health-care plan for the people of Hawaii."
AlohaCare is a nonprofit, community-based health plan for the state's QUEST members. It was formed by community health centers in 1994 to ensure needs of Hawaii's underserved population.
AlohaCare now serves more than 28,000 medical and 35,000 dental QUEST members.
Grant recipients include:
>> Na Po'e Hoa 'Aina, "Health Intentions, Domestic Violence Prevention Project."
>> American Red Cross, Hawaii Chapter, "Training Teens for Caregiving."
>> Hawaii Recreation & Park Association, Hersey Track & Field Youth Program.
>> Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, 17th Annual Seniors Health Fair.
>> American Cancer Society, Great American Smokeout.
>> Hawaii's Mothers Milk Inc., Breastfeeding Outreach Project.
>> Save the Food Basket Inc., Food Basket Storefront.
>> Center for Independent Living, West Hawaii wheelchair lift.
>> Hale Na'au Pono, Women's Support Group.
>> Hawaii Rural Health Association, Substance Abuse Conference.
>> La Leche League, Oahu Chapter, "Breastfeeding -- A Healthier Hawaii."
>> Hale Makua Foundation Family, Caregiving Support Program.
>> American Cancer society, Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Education Seminar.
>> Waianae Coast Community Mental Health, Hui Hana Pono Clubhouse.
>> Mental Health Kokua, 17th Annual Mental Health Consumer Conference.
>> Hawaiian Acres Community Association, "Strength, Flexibility & Rehabilitation Class."
>> Turning Point for Families, Rural Outreach Program.
>> Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, AmeriCorps Center to End Violence.
>> NCBI Hawaii -- Pahoa High & Intermediate School, Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi.
>> Maui Family Support Services, "Maui Stands for Children Rally and Community Resources Event."
For more information on the AlohaCare Neighbors program or to receive an application, call 973-1650 or, from the neighbor islands, 1-800-434-1002; or visit your nearest community health center.