Last week we looked at statistics and the causes of homelessness. As a community, we are called to respond to the homeless crisis with compassion, recognizing that every individual deserves dignity and support. The agencies below have links for you to learn more about small steps you can take in your life to help build a caring community for our homeless. 


HOPE Services Hawaii, is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness across the state. They offer a variety of essential services to vulnerable populations: emergency shelters, outreach services, permanent housing programs, mental health & substance abuse, and reentry programs. Through these services, HOPE Services Hawaii is working to provide both immediate relief and long-term stability for Hawaii’s homeless population. Hope Services was featured in the Catholic Herald this month: Catholic Herald.
 
Family Promise Hawaii has a mission to help homeless and low-income families gain independence using the community resources and support. They provide several forms of rental assistance including the following:

• Homelessness Prevention: Short-term rental or utility assistance that serves families at the verge of becoming homeless to prevent them from losing their housing.
• Rapid Re-Housing: Short- or medium-term rental assistance to help families experiencing homelessness return to permanent housing.
• Permanent Supportive Housing: Long-term rental assistance to help families whose head of household has a disabling condition, and who have been experiencing homelessness for a while.

 
The Institute for Human Services (IHS) is Hawaii’s largest homeless services provider. They support various employment services giving a hand up to those in need. IHS offers many outreach programs, and shelters, including medical respite homes, women and family, emergency shelter, substance recovery homes, and also work with the VA to give shelter and support to those veterans in in crisis. A well-known service of IHS is their meal program.  IHS volunteers from St. John’s in Mililani are in the news this month, too: Catholic Herald. 


At Holy Trinity we support and sustain a culture of LIFE.  Join us on each First Friday, after the 9:00 AM Mass as we pray the rosary while in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  We appreciate the support of your prayers and ideas to pursue. If you would like to join our Respect Life Committee, please contact Debbie at [email protected]