There are many issues facing our community today and Aloha United Way knows that we do not have the resources to address all of them. To serve our community more effectively, we needed to look at the community and really focus in on how we could make the largest impact in sustaining a healthy island community. So we convened a team of over 150 committed and concerned community representatives, to develop a strategy that would allow Aloha United Way to focus on funding five areas of greatest concern to island residents. They include emergency and crisis services; early childhood development; financial stability and independence; homelessness; and crime and drug use. In the past year, a committee of volunteers, called an Impact Council, has come together for each of the five areas to make informed decisions about how to invest the community’s generous donations most effectively. The councils are responsible for assessing community needs, analyzing program outcomes, benefits and costs; selecting targeted community outcomes, and identifying which agencies best meet the needs of the issues.

Winter 2008alohamatters

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Aloha United Way Maximizes Impact of Donations

As the new year begins, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has so generously given of your time, talent and treasure to Aloha United Way. We and those we help are especially grateful for your support this past year.

The headlines have focused on our state’s economic plight and the growing need for health and human services in our community at a time when giving is down across the board. Calls for help to Aloha United Way’s 211 information and referral service have gone up 30 percent, and calls are increasing from first time callers and others for basic needs like food, shelter and financial assistance.

Now more than ever it is important for us to join together as a community to do what we can to help each other through these difficult times. I am confident that we in this island community will pull together to weather this economic storm and help those in need.

One of our strengths at Aloha United Way is our ability to reach out to the entire community. As those affected by the economy turn to Aloha United Way and its partner agencies for help, your partnership with us is a gift without measure.

Sincerely,

Susan Au DoylePresident and Chief Professional Officer

President’s Message

Partner Agency Highlight Society of Young Leaders Making A Difference in the Community

Each quarter, Aloha Matters will be featuring one of Aloha United Way’s 87 partner agencies. ORGANIZATION: Hale Kipa, Inc., founded in 1970 Hale Kipa has over 15 programs on all of the major Hawaiian islands and provides services that include foster care, emergency shelter, therapeutic living programs, diversion, attendant care, street outreach, positive youth development, sexual exploitation prevention, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility groups and transitional planning, residential programs for youth transitioning out of homelessness or foster care, independent living, community-based outreach and advocacy, advocate programs, intensive in-home services, community mental health shelter and a valid court order program. INTERESTING FACTS

* Hale Kipa has 21 offices/sites on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.

* At least one-third of its population is part-Hawaiian with up to 55% in some programs.

* Hale Kipa absorbed the former Sisters Offering Support programs and curriculum designed for adolescents. Trained staff are available to make school and community presentations.

* Hale Kipa has a program based at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility that provides weekly cognitive restructuring groups as well as transitional and relapse planning for the youth.

WHAT ALOHA UNITED WAY ISSUE AREAS DO YOU FALL UNDER? Emergency & Crisis Services, Financial Stability & Independence, Homelessness SUCCESS STORY: Julie is a 21 year old who has been involved with the foster care system since the age of 12 due to being the victim of emotional abuse, neglect and rejection from her parents. During her years in foster care and thereafter, the only consistent thing in her life was her involvement with programs at Hale Kipa, both residential and outreach. But what has made Julie truly successful has been her own resilience and willingness to seek out and accept assistance when she needed it. In high school, Julie demonstrated healthy life choices for herself. Julie successfully completed high school

Formed a mere 6 months ago, Aloha United Way’s Society of Young Leaders

(SYL) is growing strong with over 70-plus members ranging in age from 18-45. The Society is comprised of members from various industries, including finance, non-profit, legal, military, tech, retail, construction, union, to name a few.

Members meet quarterly and have conducted several successful drives focused on our issue areas. This included a school supply collection for homeless children with item and cash donations in excess of $7,500. As a result, school supply kits and backpacks were donated to over 400 keiki on the island.

The members also created a Halloween Spook-tacular party for homeless keiki at The Institute for Human Services with activities and goodies for approximately 30 children. Price Busters sponsored the event along with Cookies by Design and HFM FoodService.

From keiki to helping our kupuna, the SYL members ramped up for the holidays to help collect much-needed items for senior citizens. Drives were held at Kahala Mall and Ala Moana Center Stage with items collected donated to both Lokahi and various Aloha United Way’s partner agencies.

In addition to drives, SYL members also donated their professional services to help transitioning homeless families educate themselves on legal matters, real estate, resume writing and more at Lanakila Recreation Center. Coming up for SYL members: a children’s book drive, networking events and much more!

For more information on how you can get involved, contact the Marketing Department at 536-1951 or visit our website at auw.org and link to: www.auw.org/young-leaders-initiative.

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Aloha United Way’s Society of Young Leaders

Each quarter, Aloha Matters will be featuring one of Aloha United Way’s many community support agencies and programs.

ORGANIZATION: Hawaii Organ Procurement Organization, DBA, Organ Donor Center of Hawaii (ODCH), founded in 1987

Organ Donor Center of Hawaii is the only federally designated organ procurement organization serving the State of Hawaii. Organ and tissue donation is a precious gift that offers life and hope to people in need of a life-saving transplant. As the bridge between donor families and transplant recipients, ODCH works to achieve its mission by carefully and professionally managing the donation process, providing compassionate and sensitive support for donor families and increasing public and health professionals’ awareness about donation. Many lives have been touched by organ and tissue donations - those who have given as well as those who have received.

INTERESTING FACTS1987 First heart transplant in Hawaii, Dr. Livingston

Wong, Dr. Ricardo Moreno-Cabral, Dr. Judson McNamara, Dr. Richard Pang, Dr. Colin Dang

1992 ODCH started recovering musculoskeletal tissue1993 First liver transplant in Hawaii, Dr. Linda Wong, Dr. Whitney Limm, Dr. Alan Cheung1994 Hawaii Coalition on Donation was formed 1994 First combined kidney and pancreas transplant in Hawaii, Dr. Alan Cheung, Dr. Linda Wong, Dr. Whitney Limm

2005 First liver and kidney transplant in Hawaii, Dr. Linda Wong, Dr. Hiroji Noguchi2005 100th liver transplant in Hawaii2005 First paired kidney exchange in Hawaii2006 First successful lung recovery in Hawaii2007 1000th kidney transplant in Hawaii

SUCCESS STORY: After the tragic accidental death of their 7 year old son, Frances and Michael Nelson held on to the hope that their precious son could help another child. As a family, the Nelson’s said yes to organ donation and began a journey of healing that continues today. Kekoa saved the lives of three people including an 8 month old girl in California. Today, years later, the Nelson family continues to be a source of hope and healing for other grieving families. Frances and Michael inspire their community on Maui through the Annual Walk to Remember, a memorial tree trimming event that gives meaning to the holiday season for other grieving parents. Frances serves on the Board of Directors for Organ Donor Center of Hawaii and volunteers hundreds of hours together with her husband and son, Kawika, sharing the message of the need for organ and tissue donation awareness.

Organ donation touches the lives of transplant recipients and the lives of organ donors. There is healing in sharing the gift of life and the Nelson family embodies this spirit of giving. One tragedy, one act of courage and now a lifetime of hope.

Community Support Agency and Program Highlight

IRA Rollover Extended

The $700 billion economic bailout bill (H.R. 1424, The Financial Rescue Package) signed by President Bush includes a two-year extension of the IRA Rollover provision.

The provision will be made retroactive to January 1, 2008, and will apply to gifts made from that date through December 31, 2009. The provision exempts from taxable income any funds transferred (“rolled over”) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a charitable organization.

The following limitations apply:• Thedonormustbeage70½orolder.• ThecaponannualIRArolloversis$100,000.• Thecontributionmustbeadirectgifttoacharity(no planned gifts).

200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 700Honolulu, Hawaii 96817www.auw.org

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 734Honolulu, HI

This volunteer-led evaluation process, including representatives from all walks of life, ensures that your donation is invested wisely so that your generosity will have the greatest impact on the community. We are very optimistic about the results this strategy will generate over time. However, we also are realistic.

We know that results don’t occur overnight and that large community problems won’t be solved immediately. However, we expect progress, and each year we will be monitoring to see the change that our collective time, energy and money make in our community through Aloha United Way. Together, great things are possible and with all of us working together on making it happen, we are excited about producing better results and improving our community! To join an Impact Council or for more information, contact Norm Baker at (808) 543-2202.

and began college at the age of 17. She maintained part time employment, even working two jobs at a time to help support herself. During this time, she was also involved in a relationship that turned abusive. Hale Kipa staff supported her by providing her with options and resources available to her. She eventually became pregnant, and like many women in abusive relationships, Julie made an effort to make the relationship work.

Later, Julie showed great dedication by juggling motherhood and continuing her education. Since then, she has transitioned into her own two bedroom apartment, and continues to receive support from Hale Kipa. She currently is working towards her goal of receiving a college degree with plans of working on a graduate degree as well.

Aloha United Way Maximizes Impact of Donations (continued from page 1)

Partner Agency Highlight (continued from page 2)

Aloha United Way is Going Green in 2009!

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Aloha United Way is doing its part to help save the environment AND to save money. This newsletter is the LAST in a “hard” copy format that you will receive. Thereafter, our newsletter “officially” goes green by being delivered online via email.

If you would like to receive an e-version of our newsletter, please log on to our website at auw.org and click on “Sign up for Newsletter” on our homepage.