Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 9, 1 September 2015 — 'What about the Women?' Part Two [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'What about the Women?' Part Two

Trustee 's note: This month 's eolunm is guest written by Noriko Namiki, CEO ofYWCA of O'alm.

On July lst,TheYWCA Fernhurst in Makiki heeame the new base for the acclaimed program, Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine - The Home of Reawakening for Women. It is a community-based work furlough program for women transitioning from incarceration to independent life. Twenty-four women, along with the program staff, moved to Fernhurst from the previous program site in

Kahhi operated by TJ Mahoney & Associates. The organization ran the program successfully for more than twenty years under the leadership of Executive Director Forraine Robinson, who will eontinue to serve

the program as a lead consultant. "TJ Mahoney and the YWCA of O'ahu have built a successful work relationship in the past to help women make a significant shift from life in prison to the community," says Robinson. "The YWCA of O'ahu staff and volunteers have always welcomed many of our women to their community and supported them in so many ways from landing employment to finding housing. I could not think of a better organization to house Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine. I know the YWCA will grow and enhanee the program while maintaining its integrity." The Fernhurst building has been operating in its current location since 1952. It offers a safe, elean and sober residential setting with 24-hours-a-day living arrangements and on-site supervision. Residents are part of a nurturing community that empowers them to set and accomplish attainable goals, build resiliency, learn to manage emotions, and make positive changes. They experience a level of independence within a structured, supportive environment. The YWCA will follow the program's comprehensive

gender-responsive and trauma-informed program model to address the muhiple, complex and critical areas of sub-

stance abuse, domestic vioience, physical and sexual abuse. The program will also support cognitive and life skills enhancement, parenting, vocational and educational needs, self-esteem, family of origin, and relationship issues. In addition, the YWCA of O'ahu will make all of its Eeonomie Advancement Programs and other services available to the residents of Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine. These include Dress for Success® Honolulu; a suiting program

to assist women's job search and Homebase at Fernhurst; a subsidized housing program for women seeking permanent housing. These additions provide a set of comprehensive and wraparound services to residents and increase the

chances of success at rebuilding their lives. It was a natural ehoiee for the YWCA of O'ahu to be the steward of this program with its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women given the fact that since its beginnings, more than half of the residents served by Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine have been Native Hawaiian. Through this program, women are able to develop the fundamental elements of selfsufficiency. They work, have a routine with daily meals, establish savings and experienee a safe, elean plaee to live. Facking such basic resources, these women would be highly challenged to build successful lives after ineareeration. Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine is a reawakening in that it is an opportunity for a new life. It is the very best ehanee these women have for a future. "This plaee feels like home," one resident said as she unpacked her bag in her new room. "I am so grateful the YWCA accepted us. We don't want to go back to prison. We want to stay in the eommunity. This is where we belong." E holomua kākou I ka lanakila. 33/48 ■

Haunani Apnlinna, MSW TrustEE, At-largE

From left, YWCA of O'ahu Director of Eeonomie Advancement Programs Kehaulani Coleman, YWCA of O'ahu CE0 Noriko Namiki, former director of TJ Mahoney, Reawakening for Women Lorraine Robinson, and Trustee Haunani Apoliona. - Photo: Courtesy Reynold Freitas