We’re halfway through the year, summer is officially here, and it’s a great time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the impact we’ve made together so far. From February through May, our programs have been hard at work supporting individuals and families in Hawaiʻi County, and the numbers tell a story of compassion, connection, and community resilience.
Here’s a quick snapshot of how our programs have shown up for our community in the first part of this year:
The Coordination Center: Connecting People, Preventing Homelessness
Our Coordination Center is your one-stop shop for connecting to services through our call center or recently opened drop-in center in Hilo. Whether someone calls us in crisis, walks through our doors needing help, or is just looking for information, we’re here to offer support every step of the way.
Since February:
- Our call center has answered 774 calls from residents across Hawaiʻi County, offering guidance and connecting them with resources.
- We’ve opened 31 new case management files, supporting individuals and families with personalized help.
- On March 17, 2025, we opened our Coordination Center drop-in center in Hilo, a safe space where folks can charge their phone, hop on a computer, grab a bite, or just rest for a bit.
- Already, 58 individuals have used our drop-in services, getting help with everything from housing applications to hygiene kits.
Through partnerships with the Ma’i Movement and Kumukahi Health + Wellness, we’re also providing essential items like feminine care products and harm reduction supplies, because small things make a big difference.
Anchor Point Youth Center: Empowering the Next Generation
Opened just this spring on March 3, 2025, Anchor Point Youth Center (APYC) is already becoming a trusted haven for young people ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Since March 3:
- 19 unique youth have accessed services at APYC over 200 times, coming in for food, hygiene items, computer access, and more.
- 10 young people have chosen to enter case management and 6 of them are now housed.
- We held our very first Youth Council, giving youth a seat at the table to shape the services they receive.
Thanks to additional funding through Kosasa and partners like Ma’i Movement and Kumukahi Health + Wellness, we’re able to offer tailored resources and life skills workshops that support our youth in building brighter futures.
Homeless Engagement Team: Meeting People Where They Are
Our Homeless Engagement Team (HET) is out in the community every week, traveling across the island all the way from Hilo to Kaʻū to Kohala to connect with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Since February:
- The team has made 667 outreach contacts, building relationships and offering critical resources.
- We’ve opened 56 new case management cases, helping folks navigate the path toward stable housing.
- As a key partner in the HI County Homeless Engagement Hui, we follow up with every youth and family referred to us, and completed 57% of all registrations into the county’s housing database from August to April.
With generous support from Geist Foundation, Day1, and other community partners like the Food Basket, Hawai’i Island’s Food Bank, we’re able to bring food, supplies, and dignity to those who need it most.
ʻOhana Homeless Prevention and Support Program: Keeping Families Together and Housed
Through our OHPSP, we’re helping families who are at risk of becoming homeless and those already experiencing homelessness find the support they need to stay housed or get back into stable housing quickly.
Since February:
- We’ve supported 18 homeless families with intensive case management to get them on a path to housing.
- We’ve also helped 35 families who are at risk of homelessness stay in their homes.
This work is made possible through funding from Blueprint for Change and the Hawai‘i Children’s Trust Fund, along with vital donations from partners like the Hawai‘i Diaper Bank, Ma’i Movement, and local churches.
Whether it’s a parent navigating housing paperwork, a teen seeking a safe space, or a kupuna who just needs someone to listen, Neighborhood Place of Puna is here for you. Every call answered, every hygiene kit handed out, every youth housed is a step toward a more just and compassionate Hawaiʻi Island.
If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out.
We’re here for you with open doors, listening ears, and a deep belief in every person’s ability to thrive. Visit us, call us, or send us a message. You are not alone.