When: Project Hawai'i Inc. began on the Big Island in 2002, expanding to O'ahu in 2006 and Maui in 2020. The organization originally started as Christmas Wish Program, Inc. in the California Bay Area in 1988. How: Project Hawai'i was founded by dedicated volunteers committed to ending poverty among homeless children in Hawai'i. We operate entirely through public donations, without paid staff or government funding, and have all the necessary legal standing as a nonprofit. Why: Co-founder Magin Patrick views caring for homeless children as her life’s mission, her kuleana. She began this work at 16, driven by a deep sense of purpose. Project Hawai'i, Inc. was created to address gaps in existing programs and to provide individualized support to help children break the cycle of poverty. Find and need and fill it!

Project Hawai’i, Inc. is funded entirely by public donations, community support, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships. We actively participate in community events, charity walks, bake sales, car washes, and other fundraisers to engage with the community and raise funds. Additionally, we partner with various groups, clubs, and companies to fulfill their giving programs through events like bowl-a-thons, radio-thons, silent auctions, and more. Our programs are also supported by award grants that recognize our impactful work. Importantly, Project Hawai’i, Inc. is not funded by any government, state, or county programs. We rely on public support to avoid the restrictions and red tape that can limit our ability to help homeless children effectively.

Project Hawai’i, Inc. thrives because it is fully staffed and run by passionate volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference. Our volunteers view their involvement as a part of their lifestyle, driven by a higher purpose. Each volunteer typically takes ownership of a specific project or program, ensuring its success and the overall success of the children we serve. Many of our volunteers have been with us for over a decade, some since the very beginning. Some even include former clients who have succeeded through our programs. The commitment and care from everyone involved make our organization stable and effective in helping homeless children.

Project Hawai'i Inc. is dedicated to long-term change, not quick fixes. Our programs help homeless children build self-esteem, life skills, and social skills, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty. We have seen this firsthand, starting with our work from 2003-2006, where we helped 75 children from 15 families, many of whom were third or fourth-generation homeless. Today, all these families are still housed, employed, and thriving, with their children growing up in stable homes. Our summer educational programs, launched in 2006, have also shown lasting impact. Teens return to school, earn GEDs, find jobs, attend college, and avoid early dropouts or teen pregnancies. These successes prove that your contributions are making a real difference. We are committed to the same success for every child we serve, supporting them every step of the way as they transition to a better life. Your donations directly support the programs you choose, and you can witness the impact through our stories on social media, in the community, or by volunteering hands-on. 100% of public donations go directly to benefit the children and programs, with corporate sponsors helping cover operational costs to ensure the ongoing success of our mission.

We provide year-round services to children under 18 on the islands of Maui, O'ahu, and the Big Island who live in poverty-stricken, substandard housing. This includes those living in cars, tents, abandoned structures, and other non-traditional housing without running water, electricity, or basic needs. We do not serve children in shelters, as those facilities have government and other support. We focus our resources on homeless keiki living in the most vulnerable conditions, where we can make the greatest positive impact. ​

Project Hawai'i, Inc. volunteers conduct monthly outreach to ensure our current homeless keiki are supported and to find new homeless families. We search in remote areas like bushes, mountains, and other hidden spots where families might set up tents. On O'ahu, our primary focus is on West O'ahu, Aiea, Kapolei, and Waimanalo, though we provide island-wide outreach. We also have a newly formed team on the Windward side On the Big Island, we have such strong community support that families now come to us by the hundreds at our events. On Maui, we conduct outreach and host events, often finding children living in cars, moving frequently, and unable to establish stable living conditions.

Outreach is how Project Hawai’i, Inc. stays connected with the homeless children in our program and identifies new keiki in need of support. Through outreach, our volunteers build trust with families, helping their children begin the journey to escape homelessness. Outreach involves delivering hygiene items, food, clothing, and emergency supplies to children living in bushes, cars, tents, and other challenging conditions. Depending on the season or holiday, we also provide additional items and care. Our outreach includes listening to families’ needs for success and responding within 24 hours when urgent help is required. We conduct outreach at least twice a month, relying on public support and resources to continue this vital work.

There are tens of thousands of homeless children across Hawai’i, with estimates ranging from 12,500 to over 23,000 at any given time. Project Hawai’i, Inc. provides services to over 1,600 homeless children annually across the islands of Maui, O'ahu, and the Big Island, offering year-round support to help them break the cycle of poverty. Project Hawai'i' will reach and make a positive impact on 1,600 homeless keikis each year when adding up all of our heartfelt programs throughout the year. This does not mean that we provide 1,600 children services at the same time. It is difficult to have exact numbers as there are so many external factors that affect our homeless population. We conduct monthly outreach and will find new homeless children, lose track of some due to encampments being swept and so on, but will never stop looking for these precious keiki as they depend on Project Hawai'i and the care we provide.

This is a very difficult question that does not have easy answers. There are stereotypical homeless situations, but we deal with the children and families that don't always fall with within those stereotypes. Please use this with extreme caution and consideration AND WITH RESPECT for the children's sake. I love these children and only wish the best for them. These following answers can be taken out of content and truly hurt them...so please use with caution. The main reasons for homelessness among the children we serve include: Economic Hardship: Families facing severe financial difficulties often experience eviction or loss of housing. Lack of Affordable Housing: The shortage of affordable housing options forces families into substandard or temporary living situations. Family Instability: Domestic violence, substance abuse, and family breakdowns contribute to housing instability. Unemployment: Job loss or underemployment leaves families unable to maintain stable housing. Health Issues: Physical or mental health challenges can disrupt families' ability to keep stable housing. According to our founder, a key underlying issue is a lack of education—socially, emotionally, and educationally. Many parents are illiterate and struggle with basic tasks like filling out applications. Socially, they lack the skills needed to participate in mainstream society, such as maintaining employment or forming stable relationships. Emotionally and mentally, these families often find it difficult to cope with everyday challenges. This lack of education exacerbates their difficulties and contributes significantly to their homelessness. This is a generational challenge and we aim to end this cycle now. All material is copyright protected.

Project Hawai’i, Inc. stands out for several reasons: Focus on Unsheltered Children: We are unique in our dedicated outreach to unsheltered homeless children across the islands of Hawai'i. No other agency provides this specialized, hands-on support in such an extensive manner. Individualized Approach: Our founder, Magin Patrick, emphasizes identifying and addressing specific needs. We work one-on-one with each child, tailoring our support to their unique goals and circumstances. Adaptive Programs: We continuously evaluate and adjust our programs based on effectiveness. We are flexible and responsive, creating new programs to meet emerging needs and discontinuing those that aren’t working. Volunteer-Driven: Our entire program is run by volunteers, allowing us to direct 100% of public donations to the children and their programs. Unlike many nonprofits that must allocate only 6% of donations directly to programs to meet legal standards, we ensure every dollar donated benefits the children directly. Our commitment to innovation, adaptability, and transparency makes us distinct in our mission to transform the lives of homeless keiki in Hawai’i.

Project Hawai’i, Inc. takes a collaborative approach to ensure that children receive the full range of support they need. Here's how we coordinate with other agencies: Building Relationships: We actively build relationships with our clients and other community resources to create a strong support network. This helps us provide comprehensive assistance and address the diverse needs of the families we serve. Resource Integration: While we offer unique, year-round interactive programs, we also encourage families to utilize additional community resources. We direct them to soup kitchens, clothing drives, and other programs that complement our services. Avoiding Duplication: Unlike programs that offer temporary solutions or random handouts, we focus on providing meaningful, tailored support, such as fulfilling specific Christmas wishes and organizing targeted events. We avoid duplicating services already available through other agencies. Sharing Information: We share information about other agencies’ giveaways and events with our clients to maximize their benefits. By working together, we help ensure that families can access a broad spectrum of support. Our goal is to be a stable, supportive resource while leveraging the strengths of other organizations to meet all the needs of the children and families we serve.

Project Hawai’i, Inc. offers a variety of benefits to acknowledge and appreciate your support. In exchange for your tax-deductible donation, we provide: Tax Deductible Donation Letter: Official confirmation of your contribution for tax purposes. Thank You Card and Photos: A personal thank you card along with photos of the children who benefit from your support. Impact Update: A detailed report on how your donation has been used and the positive outcomes achieved. Social Media Recognition: Shout-outs on our social media platforms, including tags and logos to highlight your generosity. Website Presence: For higher donation levels, we offer prominent website recognition with links, photos, and stories about your support. Sponsorship Opportunities: Options to sponsor a dorm room for a homeless college student, with company plaques displayed prominently. Custom Recognition: We tailor recognition to meet your needs, including creating promotional videos, hosting events, or arranging personal appearances. We value each partnership and are committed to providing meaningful recognition that aligns with your company’s goals and preferences.

At Project Hawai’i, Inc., measuring success goes beyond evaluating individual programs or short-term achievements. Success is fundamentally defined by the long-term impact we have on each child's life. Here’s how we measure our success: Long-Term Outcomes: Our primary measure of success is when a child escapes the cycle of homelessness and maintains stability. This means not only addressing immediate needs but ensuring lasting change. Ongoing Impact: We track the progress of children throughout their time with us, but true success is not seen in isolated achievements. It’s about whether they sustain their progress and ultimately break free from homelessness. Holistic Success: While we celebrate milestones, such as improved confidence or academic progress, our focus remains on the broader journey. Success is confirmed when these children achieve self-sufficiency and avoid repeating the cycle of poverty. Comprehensive Results: We provide updates on program impacts, including the number of children served and progress made. However, our true measure of success is reflected in the long-term outcomes and sustained stability of the children we support. In essence, our success is intertwined with the success of the children we serve. We strive to make a profound, lasting difference in their lives, ensuring they thrive long after their time with us. We succeed when they succeed!!

Fundraising Opportunities with Project Hawai’i, Inc. We offer a variety of exciting fundraising opportunities to support our programs. Whether you’re an individual, group, or company, there are numerous ways you can get involved and make a difference: Fundraising for Specific Needs: Support our programs by raising funds for meals, hygiene supplies, holidays, or teen programs. We can help set up a goal chart and fundraising page tailored to your needs. Facebook Fundraisers: Create a fundraiser on Facebook for birthdays, holidays, or special events. 100% of donations are directly given to our nonprofit without fees. In-Person Events: Host events such as silent auctions, team-building activities, or runs at your workplace or group. These events spread awareness and allow participants to support our cause actively. Company Events: Organize company-wide events like silent auctions, team-building exercises, or charity runs. These events offer promotional opportunities and make a significant impact. MLM Representatives: Collaborate with multi-level marketing representatives to combine fundraising with product sales. This method can boost sales while supporting our mission. Birthday Party Fundraising: Celebrate birthdays by encouraging guests to make donations in honor of a homeless child. It’s a meaningful way to mark your special day. Retail Collection Cans: Place donation cans at retail shops or public establishments. This simple method allows customers to contribute easily and helps your business make an annual contribution. Crowdfunding Campaigns: Launch a campaign on platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter to raise funds for specific projects or needs. Share widely on social media to reach a larger audience. Virtual Events: Host online events such as webinars, virtual runs, or online auctions to engage people from various locations and allow for interactive participation. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Encourage supporters to create their own fundraising pages and raise money on your behalf. This method leverages their networks to broaden your reach. Subscription Donations: Offer a subscription model where donors contribute a set amount regularly. This provides a steady stream of support and fosters long-term commitment. Charity Challenges: Create engaging challenges (e.g., fitness challenges, cooking contests) that encourage participants to raise funds through sponsorships. Online Merchandise Sales: Design and sell branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags through online platforms. Profits from these sales support our cause. Social Media Challenges: Launch viral social media challenges that encourage donations. Engaging and fun challenges can drive significant support. Matching Gifts: Partner with businesses or large donors who will match contributions made by others, increasing the overall impact of your fundraising efforts. Digital Auctions: Organize online auctions where people can bid on donated items or experiences. This can attract high bids and engage a wide audience. Corporate Giving Programs: Collaborate with companies that have employee giving programs or offer to donate a portion of their sales to our cause. This enhances community involvement and boosts fundraising efforts. Connect with us to explore these opportunities and find the best fit for your fundraising goals!

Due to a few circumstances that our families face we have found it more beneficial to the families to have access to food, especially prepared food when they need it. Here are some of the main reasons: Our families face cleansweeps so often. These state imposed evictions make it very difficult for families to take anything with them and most of their belongings end up in the garbage trucks. They will leave any food behind. It is very difficult for families to cook or find places to eat or to prepare meals. Most families will just open the can and it as is. This is not a meal experience. Many times when doing food collections over 50% of the donated items are not usable to the families due to their living situation. Many of the food items will go back due to lack of proper storage, or attract bugs, rodents, etc. WITH MEAL CARDS, Families can easily have them in their back pockets, go through a drive thru to obtain a hot meal for the children, and children can use the cards with their friends after school or a their tent when parents are not always around.

No, we do not accept used donations such as clothing or toys. Our focus is on providing personalized support to each child, and we lack the infrastructure to manage and process used items effectively. Handling used donations requires significant time, manpower, and storage, which we are unable to accommodate. For this reason, we encourage you to consider donating used items to other agencies. Here are some recommendations: On O'ahu: Partner with Habilitate for furniture, household items, and adult clothing/supplies. This nonprofit, also run by volunteers, supports adults in overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives. For children’s items, please contact us, and we can provide information on current needs with other partners. On Big Island (Kona): Donate to the Treasure Hut Thrift Store, which supports the community and allows some of our clients to shop free through referrals. And a more direct impact we partner with Humanity Hale who provides workshops for teens On Big Island (Hilo): We find that the Buy Nothing Big Island on Facebook is a great way to directly connect with those in need. On Maui: Partner with Share Your Mana. While they have limited space, they conduct outreach to adults and maintain daily connections with the homeless population. Thank you for understanding and for your support in finding the best way to help those in need.