Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Hāmākua Youth Foundation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Hāmākua Youth Center
Mailing Address: PO Box 381
City: Honokaa
State: Hawaii
Postal Code: 96727
Main Phone: 808-375-0710
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.hamakuayouthcenter.net/
Employer ID Number: 80-0410125
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/3/3036
Requested Amount: $5,000.00

Project Title: Hamakua Youth Center Programs
Project Description:

Through the Hāmākua Youth Center, the brick-and-mortar program home of the Hāmākua Youth Foundation, we offer the following programs:

1. Afterschool Care: Offering academic and social-emotional support, our afterschool program also includes Hawaiian cultural practices to strengthen youths’ connection to place and culture. We prioritize homework assistance and daily outdoor time to improve mental health outcomes.

2. Cultural Connections Summer Program: Rooted in tenets of Hawaiian philosophy, this place-based program centers environmental kinship and cultural learning, offers hands-on opportunities with community partners, and provides excursions to places of natural and cultural significance.

3. Athletics Club: Launched this year, our volleyball club provides a powerful platform for honing growth, teamwork and perseverance. Older athletes participate in workshops offering culturally grounded, skills-based learning, such as financial literacy and vocational exposure.

4. Community Well-Being: Our quarterly food assistance program aims to mitigate food insecurity while highlighting culturally relevant ingredients (e.g., kalo or ulu) and encouraging conversations about food sovereignty.

5. Career and Higher Education Exploration: Also launched this year, this program engages older youth in workforce and higher education preparation. In partnership with Kō Education Center (of Hawaiʻi Community College), HYC facilitates initiatives exploring HCC’s career pathways, including those in the culinary, medical, fire/community safety, and ag/ranch (including butchery) fields.

Total Project Budget: $370,688.15

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): State of Hawaii GIA 25-26 (secured): $20,000.00; LLH/LHM Foundation (secured): $15,000.00; County of Hawaii Community Well-Being Grant (secured): $2,000.00; Wal-Mart Spark Good Grant (secured): $2,500.00; Lithia4Kids (secured): $2,500.00; State of Hawaii GIA 26-27 (potential): 30,000.00; Hawaii Life Charitable Foundation (potential): 10,000.00; The Nonprofit Collective (potential) 10,000.00; Clementine Fund (potential): 10,000.00; Clarence TC Ching Foundation (potential): $20,000.00; Hawaii Island United Way (potential): $8,000.00; County of Hawaii Wai-Wai Grant (potential): $40,000.00; Ama OluKai Foundation (potential): $15,000.00

Project Duration: Our schedule follows the academic year (August 1 – July 31), but given the grant guidelines, any funding that may be awarded will be spent during FY27.
Geographical Area Served: Hāmākua Coast, Hawai’i Island, Hawai’i
Age Group To Be Served: 5-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Monica
Contact Last Name: Szczupider
Contact Title: Development Manager
Contact Phone: 808-375-0710
Contact Email: development@hamakuayouthcenter.net