Stories of Success 

 Story#1: A family of 5 traveled from Oregon to Hawai'i due to family issues exacerbated from the COVID-19 Pandemic. With the head of the household being part Native Hawaiian, they just wanted to come back to the Aina. A month after residing in Oahu, the family found themselves unhoused living in someone else’s backyard. A kind woman allowed them to use her backyard because of the children, however, the owner had a change of heart. The family sought services at Mana Pono Holomua since they have children who needed education.

Fortunately, the case manager is the first initial point of contact when the family seeks services. Building rapport was crucial to foster a good relationship and gain mutual trust between the case manager and the family. The tent pictured below was donated by the case manager ‘s own expense. Even though the case manager was out from the job; she did not abandon the family. The family refused to work with the other case manager in the same nonprofit organization. Most importantly, the family refused to go to HONU an emergency shelter in Ewa Beach, and at HONU family Shelter Nimitz Highway in Honolulu. Currently, they are residing at the temporary shelter at Kakaako awaiting to be place in a permanent housing.  

story #2: A client came in showing frustrations about the current homelessness outreach situation on Oahu. They had been struggling with homelessness and displacement since February 2020, or over 2 years. The biggest barriers they pointed out was lack of available resources in HI, as well as racism within other homelessness outreach programs. In their experience, "if you are not from HI, you will experience racism along the way". Other major barriers described were lack of case managers, transitional housing facilities, and shelters.

Through their work with Mana Pono Holomua, this client was able to access cultural competent care and have their concerns addressed appropriately.

Story # 3: This client suffered severe mental health problems, substance abuse, schizophrenia diagnosis, and severe childhood trauma. However, with sympathy, patience, passion to help others, and the treatments employed, his story is one of success! This Veteran was able to go back home to North Carolina to reunite with his family.

While Angel worked with the Self Help Hawaii a License Private Families, Couples and individuals therapy, Services and Practice. She went above and beyond on the call of duty. Most importantly, she found ways to deescalate the challenging situation with client who is naturally difficult to work with especially the Primarily Biomedical (suicidal risk, serious drugs or Alcohol) used.