Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2007 — OHA grantee profile: Neighborhood Plaee of Puna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA grantee profile: Neighborhood Plaee of Puna

By ŪHA Grants staff With ever-mounting financial and social pressures, keeping a positive and healthy home environment for keiki is heeoming more and more challenging for Hawaiian families. In the Puna district of the Island of Hawai'i, the YMCA embraced this challenge, opening the Neighborhood Plaee of Puna to support families seeking guidanee and services. Their mission is to "Empower families and communities in Puna by building a strong foundation through healthy relationships that value eaeh person's uniqueness. E mālama pono kākou." In collaboration with a host of nonprofit social service and cultural organizations

and dozens of volunteers, the Neighborhood Plaee of Puna provides outreach and home visits, information and referral, advocacy, and support to families trying to build safe and nurturing homes for their children. Through a variety of programs for the body, mind, and spirit, Neighborhood Plaee assists families in making healthy lifestyle choices. Outreach services include parent skill teaching using positive discipline methods, and promoting cultural roots, eeonomie stability, advocacy and family support. Since August 2002, the organization has provided home-based prevention services to more than 80 Hawaiian families. In 2006, the Neighborhood Plaee of Puna became its own not-

for-profit organization with a vision to nurture, strengthen and celebrate 'ohana. Neighborhood Plaee of Puna continues to expand its services in the Puna district, including distribution of school supplies to more than 1,000 children and increasing community awareness through a variety of eommunity events. E3

Neighborhood Plaee of Puna Phone: 808-965-5550 Web: neighborhood plaeeofpuna.org For more information about OHA grants, visit www.oha.org

KAIĀULU • COMMUNITY

Parents and supporters on Hawai'i lsland are committed to the well-being of keiki at the Neighborhood Plaee in Puna. - Photo courtesy of Heighborhood Ploee ofPuna