PALAMA SETTLEMENT
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Mission Statement
Palama Settlement is a private non-profit social service agency that has been serving the economically disadvantaged community of Liliha-Palama-Kalihi in urban Honolulu, Hawaii since 1896. Palama's mission is to help those with the greatest needs in our surrounding community to empower themselves through promoting education, health and well-being.
About This Cause
Palama Settlement is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit, community-based social service agency serving the Kalihi and Palama neighborhoods of urban Honolulu for over 100 years (est. 1896). The area is home to the most densely populated low income housing projects in the State. Palama offers a wide range of educational, recreational, athletic, cultural, health, social and community building programs and services for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens. Over the years Palama has been the pioneer of many innovative programs that have met the critical needs of the ever changing immigrant and migrant families moving into the area. Today the agency continues to develop new programs and services to respond to the changing landscape of social needs in the community. During the year, Palama serves approximately 900 children, youth, and senior citizens at any given point in time. Many of the participants live in environments that put them at risk for juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, family disintegration, gang violence, and other barriers to healthy, happy, and productive lifestyles. Services include an alternative school for adjudicated youth; a sports program that utilizes sports participation as an incentive for academic improvement and behavioral change; computer skills and performing and visual arts classes; and after school tutoring. Drop-in activities includes sports (swimming, basketball/dodge ball leagues/tournaments) and other leisure activities in the game room, all of which are designed to deter delinquent behavior during high risk, non-school hours. Senior citizens participate in physical activity through line-dancing, hula, tai-chi and Zumba classes in the mornings. Sewing, and mah jongg encourage socialization. The senior citizens' classes and programs foster the health and well-being of a vulnerable population. Palama's 6.6 acre campus is located just minutes from the downtown Honolulu's financial district. The facilities include one of the largest gymnasiums on the island where youth and adult sports are conducted, Adjacent to the gym is a swimming pool, one of the only pool within a 2 mile radius. Youth take advantage of the cool waters during the hot and humid days and during the popular learn-to-swim classes. The iconic Rath Building, built in 1924, is home to the Blackfield Youth Activity Center where children drop-in to play video games, table tennis, billiards or table games. Monthly birthday parties are celebrated in the Center with cake and ice cream. The Wong Computer Tech Center (CTC) is located on the second floor of the Rath Building and is packed with children taking their turn to learn basic computer skills and/or for free computer time. A majority of the children in the CTC do not have access to a computer and/or internet at home. The Academic Center is also located on the second floor where adjudicated youth, many of whom have long histories of truancy have an opportunity for credit recovery and acquire positive life skills. After school. the Pakolea sports program utilizes the Academic Center for homework tutoring, financial literacy classes and character development lessons. The goal of Pakolea is to develop scholar athletes with positive attitudes on as well as off the field or gym courts. If the athlete fails to attend the Academic Center he or she is not allowed to participate in practice and/or at the games. Palama's Community Services Program (CSP) maintains an emergency food pantry in the Rath Building that serves anyone in need of nourishment. CSP also assists the residents to navigate the government's benefits and entitlement programs and refers clients to partnering agencies for emergency financial assistance and household goods. Well over 200 senior citizens attend one of the many classes offered during the morning hours. These include the very popular line-dancing and Zumba classes. The seniors annually display their accomplishments at the local Seniors' Wellness Fair. Palama's annual holiday event draws over 500 participants who wait in line for a visit and wrapped gift from Santa. During the evening entertainment, families have an opportunity to win food baskets or household goods if their lucky number is drawn. The Palama Settlement campus bustles daily with the energy and enthusiasm of the children who find the campus a safe and nurturing environment to learn, exercise and have fun. The seniors citizens enjoy not only the health benefits of exercising, buy relish the opportunity to socialize.