October 26, 2019

Ho’ōla Nā Pua Advocacy Awards: Recognizing those committed to the systemic changes needed to end exploitation

By Laura Levin | About HNP, Advocacy | No Comments

The Ho’ōla Nā Pua Advocacy Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and companies, who have joined the fight against sexual exploitation by taking a courageous public stand on behalf of vulnerable children in Hawaii. These individuals and organizations are committed to supporting the systemic changes needed to end exploitation and are strong supporters of Ho’ola Na Pua’s mission, programs, and service to our community.

These awards are given out annually. This year the following individuals were recognized for their significant contributions to our community at the annual Pearl Gala. We thank them for their selfless commitment to ending sex trafficking. We recognize each of these individuals for their contributions to this fight. Let’s turn the tide against trafficking together as we prevent exploitation and care for the exploited.

JOHN DEAN
BOARD MEMBER, CENTRAL PACIFIC BANK

FARSHAD TALEBI
FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, KITSAP COUNTY

PAUL MALANA
SPECIAL AGENT, HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS

THE MACNAUGHTON GROUP FOUNDATION
INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE

“I think we are all here for a purpose and I would like to think we are making a difference and making the world a better place. We need to better recognize what is going on in our community and we need to advocate for these children…”

HNP – John Dean Vimeo from HNP on Vimeo.

“There is a need for a response, a coordinated effort. It is hard for me to sit on the sidelines and not do anything. I want to use my 10 years of experience to help in any way I can.”

HNP – Farshad Talebi Vimeo from HNP on Vimeo.

“I can tell you that it was deeply inspiring and very powerful. It was clear to us that we needed to bring this to the MacNaughton Foundation as an area of focus and support.”

HNP Advoccacy MacNaughton from HNP on Vimeo.

Be part of the solution! It’s with the dedication of our supporters that we are able to advance education, awareness, and action to provide restoration for children rescued from sexual exploitation. Whether you want to volunteer your time, voice, or resources, we’ve made it easy find a way to get involved with Hoʻōla Nā Pua.

You can help survivors of sex trafficking. Donations for sex trafficking to Hoʻōla Nā Pua support Health, Education, Advocacy and Reintegration, which includes our Starfish mentorship program and sustains ongoing operating and Pearl Haven site development costs. Our Federal ID number (EIN) is 46-5139164. Your gift may be 100% deductible from your taxable income.

August 14, 2019

Our Impact in 2018

By Laura Levin | About HNP, Education, News, Pearl Haven | No Comments

As we look back on last year, we see a collection of moments through brightly colored drawings, children at their school desks, and shovels in dirt. These are moments in time when individuals in our community connected with Ho`ōla Nā Pua. Each year we grow to meet the needs of our community. Last year we were able to reach more youth in juvenile facilities, students in new school districts, and we broke ground on Pearl Haven, our future residential campus for survivors.

By the Numbers: 2018 Impact

Sex Trafficking Support Programs

In 2018, we reached over 26,000 people with our mission and connected with community stakeholders who are joining in to be part of the solution. The problem of sex trafficking requires us to surround our keiki with support. This has meant an expansion of our programs in order to reach more keiki and the adults in their lives.

Sex Exploitation and Trafficking Education

We seek to prevent sex trafficking and travel to schools island-wide to provide education to students on this issue. We found that 3 out of 4 of students received an education on sex trafficking for the first time through our presentations. Also, almost every student walks forward into their lives with the confidence that they can recognize the warning signs of a trafficking situation. We also provide training to professionals and first responders on identification and response to exploitation so that children can then receive the attention and care they need.

Sex Trafficking Mentoring Program

Mentorships are a core focus for us as we know that it plays a significant role in recovery from psychological trauma. OurStarfish Mentoring Program connects a child who has been exploited (or is at high risk of being exploited) to a vetted, extensively trained caring adult to help guide them toward healing, restoration, and successful social reintegration. In addition, we provide group mentoring activities in juvenile facilities to equip youth with empowerment tools that will serve as protective factors when they are discharged. In these settings, youth are encouraged to participate in art activities, lie giving a ‘weather report’ on their mood at the beginning and end of the group session.

Sex Trafficking Awareness

We are often invited to speak at community presentations, including conferences and workshops. Last year alone, we presented at 42 unique venues to raise awareness on the issue of sex trafficking and exploitation. We often meet parents and community members who want to learn more about how to take action on this important issue.

Do you want to learn more about Ho`ola Na Pua and have us present at your place or work or at an event? Please contact us at events@hoolanapua.org.

Sex Trafficking Residential Care Campus

In 2018 we broke ground on the Pearl Haven Campus. This will be the future residence of up to 32 girls who have been sexually exploited. They will receive a comprehensive program for healing, including the possibility of therapy, mental and physical health care, and educational needs. We are currently under construction and have raised 60% of the capital needed to open the doors to Pearl Haven.

Thank you to our supporters who have made this work possible. To get involved as a volunteer, advocate, or contributor, please visit hoolanapua.org.

MAHALO TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND SUSTAINING DONORS 2018

The work to help the Keiki of Hawaii and beyond would not be possible without our donors.

Please consider donating to help continue to make this dream a reality.

April 16, 2019

pearl-haven-sex-trafficking-donation-hawaii

Program Updates! Help Trafficked Kids through Health, Education, Advocacy, and Reintegration

By Laura Levin | About HNP, Education, News, Pearl Haven | No Comments

Looking Back – and Ahead Sex Trafficking Education and Advocacy

2018 was a year of great expansion for Hoʻōla Nā Pua. Two of our programs, the Education Program and Starfish Mentoring Program (SMP), experienced phenomenal growth and reached more keiki than ever before. Our Education Advocates reached over 3,900 middle and high school students through sex trafficking prevention education – nearly doubling our 2018 goal of 2,000! Trafficking prevention education was provided to students on three islands (Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui) in five school districts (Central, Honolulu, Leeward, Hawaiʻi, Maui).

SMP’s Hoku group mentoring expanded from three juvenile facilities to five: Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility, Hale Hoʻomalu Juvenile Detention Facility, Hale Kipa Girls Emergency Shelter, Hale Lanipōlua Trafficked Victim Assessment Center, and Noho Olu Girls’ Safe House. 2019 is bringing even more significant opportunities in continuing to build the continuum of care needed for children in Hawaiʻi. This year we are focusing on our programmatic impact and measurement along with continuous expansion and sustainability by:
- Reducing trafficking vulnerability and demand through creative education, advocacy, and partnerships.
- Driving a cultural shift in reducing stigma around the issue of trafficking and being a thought leader in the anti-trafficking space
- Expanding the much needed Hoku group mentoring service into more adolescent facilities both on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.
- Increasing the number of trained volunteers for in the Starfish Mentoring program as well as our Educational Advocacy program to deliver in-school prevention education.
- Developing an advocacy agenda and engaging our volunteers and supporters to be a part of the needed legislative changes.
- Cultivating more partnerships and collaborative opportunities- because together our impact is greater!

Sex Trafficking Program Updates

Hoʻōla Nā Pua has partnered with Child & Family Service and Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi to offer free services to children and families who are survivors of sexual abuse. The Hope and HealingProgram provides an ʻohana style approach, offering wraparound services of counseling and support to child survivors and their families.The program also screens and assesses the risk of sex trafficking and provides concurrent treatment planning as needed. HNP provides trafficking prevention and identification training, mentoring services, and Hoku group activities. Other services include assessment, family support, and individual, group, and family counseling. There are new faces at HNP headquarters! Kim Allen, LSW, has joined us as our new Direct Services Program Manager for the Starfish Mentoring Program. Kim comes to HNP with over a decade of experience with program management at the State Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. Tim Hitchens, MSW, is our new Education Program Manager. Tim is an experienced social worker from Philadelphia where he was a policy and program supervisor at the Department of Health and oversaw the Child Welfare hotline. If you see them around our offices, say hello!

Pearl Haven Residential Treatment Updates

Pearl Haven is in renovation phase 3 of 6, and we are close to 50% of the project cost raised. We are so thankful for the MacNaughton Foundation and John Dean, among others, who in the fourth quarter of 2018 made significant contributions to keep construction moving forward at Pearl Haven. We are at a critical step in project development, and are working on securing an operation partner for the services Pearl Haven will provide. We believe in quality programming to ensure a strong and sustainable program. The community and national support for a place like Pearl Haven continues to increase, and recognition of the level of trauma interventions are becoming apparent. Once completed, Pearl Haven will be the safe space for the girls we serve! Learn more about Pearl Haven construction updates.

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Health

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