From America's Promise Alliance

Honolulu, Hawaii

• Community name: Honolulu
• Website: http://www.honolulu.gov/
• Population: 953,207
• Graduation rate: 65.8%
• Youth poverty rate: 11.0%

Overview

A four-time 100 Best winner, Honolulu continues to provide area youth with educational, safe and productive activities that help them learn and grow. Since 2003, Honolulu’s Youth Services Center has provided development and employment training services to at-risk youth. P-20 Partnerships for Education, a collaboration with the Early Learning Council, the Hawaii State Department of Education and the University of Hawaii System, works to strengthen education from early childhood through higher education. Hawaii P-20 has set a goal to have 55 percent of working age adults obtain a two- or four-year college degree by 2025.

Honolulu also offers the NFL Youth Education Town. The project, created by the National Football League and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, provides a safe place for youth to learn and participate in recreational activities. Honolulu makes health a priority with Adult Friends for Youth, which offers therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high-risk youth, with a focus on gang members. To date, Adult Friends for Youth has changed the attitudes and behaviors of over 30 gangs and helped former gang members transition to become productive members of the community.

Community Programs

• P-20 Partnerships for Education is a statewide partnership led by the Early Learning Council, the Hawaii State Department of Education and the University of Hawaii system that works to strengthen education from early childhood to college and career.

• The Youth Services Center provides development and employment training services to at-risk, disadvantaged and offender youth.

• NFL Youth Education Town is a collaboration between the National Football League and the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii to provide a safe place for young people affected by crime, drug use or high dropout rates.

• Adult Friends for Youth provides therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high-risk youth, especially gang members.

• Honolulu’s Po’okela Fellows Program provides employment opportunities to college students and offers mentoring relationships with city employees.

• The YMCA of Honolulu’s Youth Legislature Program is an annual program that offers high school and middle school students hands-on experience with state government.

Youth Voices

“The Workforce Investment Act Youth Program gave me opportunities that I didn’t see before. I now see I can have a bright future if I am willing to do what is necessary to get there.”

—Christian

“My journey to fulfill my career goals has been inspired by the many community organizations that have empowered me to be successful and self-sufficient.”

—Ryan

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APC: 2012 Competition Winners