Page 5 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Feb 1, 2023

Individuals, Families Thrive With IHS
FEBRUARY 1, 2023
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 5
FROM PAGE 4
ing interview skills and more. Within the past 11 years, the organization has trained more than 8,000 individuals and helps secure jobs for about 25 people each month.
ing, while the latter teaches various skills in the janitori- al, landscaping and building maintenance industries.
“We really want to help people find their strengths, their skills — learn new skills sometimes in order for them to getajoborgetabetterjobso that they can earn more and be able to pay for their housing,” Mitchell says.
Located at its women’s shelter, the Taking Root pro- gram features a scenic rooftop garden. Tending to the garden not only serves as an indepen- dent therapeutic task. It’s also where ingredients are harvest- ed for the organization’s meal program — and even sold at local grocery stores.
(Above) Urban agricultural assistant Ryan Lau and IHS executive director Connie Mitchell tend to a batch of lettuce from the IHS rooftop garden. Produce from the garden is utilized in the organization’s meal program (right). PHOTOS COURTESY THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES
they experienced is all that there is, like not having enough money and moving from place to place as a homeless indi- vidual in a homeless family,” Mitchell adds.
For those who haven’t worked in a long time, IHS offers prevocational train- ing, where people can obtain hands-on experience through its Taking Root or New Leaf offerings. The former is an urban agriculture program in which IHS clients learn aqua- ponic and hydroponic farm-
IHS exists to not only assist individuals, but to help the en- tire ‘ohana thrive. Its family program focuses on the spe- cific needs of both the parents and the keiki, such as providing parents with health education and financial literacy, and help- ing the children obtain school supplies and clothing. Accord-
ing to Mitchell, children that experience homelessness are four times as likely to become homeless themselves.
As executive director, Mitchell has seen her fair share of success stories and says that seeing people exit homelessness brings her so much joy.
encing homelessness now, if they get back into the work- force or if they are able to do other things that kind of reach out to help somebody else and they pay it forward, we’ re going have a lot more goodness in our community.”
“We don’t want the children to grow up thinking that what
“It feels like I’m really in- vesting in the future of our community,” Mitchell says. “The folks that are experi-
To learn more, or to volun- teer, visit ihshawaii.org.
In HILO
670 Kekuanaoa Ave. (808) 969-3051
In KEA‘AU 16-590 Old Volcano Rd. #B (808) 966-7942
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Walk-In Medical Care
Immediate non-emergency care for illnesses, minor wounds, or injuries from work, sports, home and auto. Physical Exams. X-Rays.
Most Insurances accepted, including Kaiser.
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