The cofounder and director of operations for the nonprofit Project Hawaii, Inc., has overseen the evolution of the organization, which started by helping homeless teens and progressed to aiding homeless children.
Magin Patrick told Big Island Times that Project Hawaii was “founded in Hawaii on the Big Island in 2003, expanded to Oahu in 2006 and to Maui in 2020.” Volunteers run the organization, which relies on tax-deductible donations that directly benefit “homeless and poverty-stricken children.” All donations go directly to benefit the children.
Project Hawaii provides services, such as job training, career path options, internships and job readiness. The organization runs several programs, including summer camp, Christmas Wish, Teen Mentoring, Mommy and Me, Monthly Outreach, Easter Cheer, Share a Meal and more. To learn more about each program and to volunteer your time or to donate, visit Project Hawaii's website.
“It is my whole purpose of being on earth, and my trials and hardship as a child was just the training battle I needed to survive to be the one to make the change for the homeless children who don't have a choice of their own,” Patrick told Big Island Times.
Since Project Hawaii was founded, it has helped over 1,600 homeless children escape the cycle of poverty, according to Patrick.
“We have 408 homeless, unsheltered children on the Big Island enrolled in our program, and this month alone, three entire families are now moving into a home of their own,” Patrick said.
Why did you start this organization? How has it grown or changed over time?
“I actually started this mission on the mainland as a teen to help find an alternate solution to helping homeless teens versus what the government was providing. Decades later, after moving to Hawaii, I redeveloped the program to help the homeless children here succeed and escape their cycle of poverty and homelessness. I was watching a PBS special, and a Hawaiian woman stated that everyone was born with a purpose, a passion, something they were actually born to do. It is called their ‘kuleana.’ When I heard her speak, I knew, this is my kuleana.”
What problems do your programs or services solve?
“Our programs are designed to teach the homeless children the life and social skills they need to succeed in school. We teach them how to find their own self-worth and value, their own passion and reason to go beyond what they were born into. We provide educational programs, teen mentoring programs, holiday events, emergency outreach, monthly programs and more. All our programs work together for the overall well-being of the child’s development and to build their own self-understanding with a strong foundation of self-determination.”
What is unique about your organization?
“We are very unique and make the changes most will say are impossible. Our largest endeavor is our dormitory for our homeless teens to attend college. Everyone said this can't be done, we are in over our heads. Well, today I am standing in the middle of a construction site that will house 13 teen girls for their first semester in college this coming fall. I actually love it when people say, ‘It costs too much' or 'It isn't possible.’ Then when we accomplish it, we can once again say, ‘We make the impossible possible with your donations and support.’”
Can one donate to your organization in other ways than just money?
“Yes, our organization has a long list of needs that can be filled without sending money. As well, we are always seeking skilled volunteers to share their talents and knowledge to bring Project Hawaii, Inc., to a higher level through our website, social media, marketing, internships, fundraising events and more.”