Page 6 - MidWeek - Dec 8, 2021

6 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 8, 2021
The Biggest Investment Is A Home
Hawaiian Community Assets offers hope and assistance for families in need of housing.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS
enrolls in a Financial Opportunity Center. As we work to make economic oppor- tunities available, we ask for you to join us: invest in our local people by going to hawaiiancommunity.net and donate today. While there, find a Financial Oppor- tunity Center near you, enroll and let us walk with you on your path to economic
self-sufficiency.
By Jeff Gilbreath, interim executive director of Hawaiian Community Assets
Twenty years ago, Hawaiian Com- munity Assets was founded by working, low-income Native Ha- waiians who did not have a down payment or credit score to qualify for a mortgage. Being unable to afford a home — or living expenses in general — is a story many of our local people know too well.
ate action plans to reach financial goals. We helped Sarah, a single mother of six, build a household budget and enroll in a credit builder loan to start her family on a journey from houseless to homeownership
Since 2000, HCA has built the capacity of low- and moderate-income local res- idents to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency by helping our people move from houseless on the beach to the biggest investment in their life – a home.
lava eruptions, Timothy and Mary com- pleted a homebuyer workshop and qual- ified for a down payment assistance loan with us so they could become homeown- ers, build assets and rebuild their lives.
More than 2,000 Hawai‘i residents walk through the doors of our Financial Opportunity Centers every year looking for financial counseling, career coaching and income supports, such as public ben- efits, grants and loans. Our team members welcome them as family and help build household budgets, review credit and cre-
When Michelle came to us out of in- carceration without a job, we found her employment that would later pay for a col- lege degree and a wage to afford her rental.
in 36 months.
After losing their rental to the Kīlauea
We know the greatest challenges our local people face are financial emergen- cies and economic opportunities that are always “just out of reach.” We fund our services with grants, contract, and do- nations so they are free for anyone who
COVID-19
VACCINE is available to eligible people
Walk-in’s accepted and by appointment is welcomed.
Check eligibility and schedule an appointment at CVS.com, CVS app
or Scan the QR Code.
www.cvs.com
The History of Honolulu City Lights.
Join host Lyla Berg as she speaks with special guests about the history of Honolulu City Lights.
Watch footage from past tree lightings, parades and displays.
WED. DEC 15 | 6:00PM | CHANNEL 53 CH. 53 SPECTRUM | 1053 HAWAIIAN TELCOM
SPECIAL INTERVIEWS INCLUDE:
Rick Blangiardi,
Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu
Loretta Jardine,
Executive Director, Friends of Honolulu City Lights
Owen Ho,
Design Coordinator, Friends of Honolulu City Lights
Makanani Sala,

olelo.org