Leeward nonprofits receive $1 million in grants-in-aid

HONOLULU—The City and County of Honolulu awarded $1 million in grants-in-aid as part of its Leeward Coast Community Benefits Program.

The program was initiated in 2006 to help offset the impact of the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on adjacent communities.

A total of $2 million has been allocated for the program annually. Of this amount, $1 million is dedicated for park improvements and another $1 million is set aside for grants-in-aid to private and/or community-based non-profit organizations for programs and services that address problems or concerns on the Leeward Coast.

Eligible communities include: Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Kapolei, Honokai Hale/Nanakai Gardens, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, and Keaau.

The 32 projects funded this year provide housing, food, mental health services, and other services to assist children, single parents, families experiencing “homelessness,” victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, recovering substance abusers, and displaced veterans on the Leeward coast.

The grant recipients are:

Adult Friends for Youth
$25,000 to provide Redirectional Therapy for high-risk youth in the Leeward Coast.

Best Buddies International, Inc.
$25,000 to implement an office on the Leeward Coast to establish a global volunteer movement.

Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii-Nanakuli
$5,000 for youth and family members to achieve educational proficiencies.

Catholic Charities Hawaii
$25,000 to develop and implement the GET FIT MAILI project for teen residents at the Maili Land Transitional Housing Program.

Child and Family Service
$30,000 to expand the Healthy Start Home Visiting Program for at-risk families.

Dyslexia Tutoring Center of Hawaii
$35,000 to implement the Pre-Primer program for children.

Dyslexia Tutoring Center of Hawaii
$35,000 to implement the Adult Tutoring Program.

Easter Seals Hawaii
$25,000 to sustain and expand the workforce development program of Napuakea for youth and adults with intellectual and development disabilities.

Enterprising Solutions, Inc.
$25,000 for the development of business plans and strategies for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Friends of Kapolei Hale
$29,000 to provide social, educational, cultural events and activities to instill community & family pride.

Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.
$38,000 to provide food for residents experiencing homeless through collaboration with member agencies.

Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc.
$25,000 to purchase and install proper surfacing and age appropriate playground equipment and fencing.

Hoa Aina O Makaha
$35,000 to sustain the Container Garden Project for families of elementary age children of Makaha and neighboring communities.

Hoolana
$40,000 for an academic enrichment program for academically challenged and economically disadvantaged students in grades 7-12.

KAMP Hawaii
$20,000 to sustain “Pride and Victory Outreach Program” for youth.

Konishiki Kids Foundation
$25,000 to provide community activities to low and moderate communities, individuals, and expand economic opportunities.

Leeward Kai Canoe Club, Inc.
$15,000 for construction of a new koa canoe.

Life Foundation
$20,000 provide a comprehensive array of HIV related care and prevention services for underserved residents on the Leeward Coast.

Makana Oke Akua, Inc.
$48,000 to assist recovering substance abuse offenders to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle in a structured transitional home.

Making Dreams Come True, Valley of Rainbows
$25,000 provide public service community projects and educational youth programs for youth and families.

Malama Learning Center
$30,000 to fund the completion of the design and begin construction of phase I of the LEED-certified “green” educational and community facility.

ManaManaLima
$35,000 “Future Farm Owners & Business: program to serve homeless families or individuals.

Nanakuli Alumni Association
$20,000 to organize and implement year-round programs and activities to address cultural, educational, and unmet social issues.

Nanakuli High and Intermediate School PTSA
$55,000 to support its School/Community Services, Pride and Beautification Program for students, families, and staff.

Poi Dogs and Popoki
$35,000 to provide outreach and assistance to families with pets on the Leeward Coast.

Seagull Schools, Inc.
$30,000 to purchase and install commercial shade structures for playground equipment and safety railing for classroom lanai.

Special Olympics Hawaii
$30,000 sports training, competitions, and health screening for intellectually challenged residents.

Surfing The Nation
$50,000 expand service through the STN Leeward Coast Community Program for Children and Youth.

Waianae Coast Coalition
$35,000 to continue planning project to establish a Small Business Incubator emerging digital media business.

Waianae Community Outreach
$40,000 to implement “Equal Access to Legal Services” project to provide legal representation for residents.

Waimanalo Construction Coalition
$40,000 to provide construction and commercial driver’s license instruction to low and moderate income and unemployed individuals.

Westside Athletic Foundation
$40,000 to assist youth sports organization.