2022 Annual Report to the Community

Children age 18 months to 5 years experience the joy of learning at our Preschools and Early Learning Programs as they prepare for kindergarten.

However, with the closure of preschools during the pandemic, many toddlers fell behind, such as Rea.

Although Rea was three years old, speaking was a struggle. Lacking access to a preschool during the pandemic increased her challenges. But when our Y re-opened and expanded our preschool capacity, Rea’s mom Nikki was relieved to secure a spot for Rea and much-needed financial aid.

Caring for her mother, who was on dialysis, prevented Nikki from working and greatly restricted her income. With the Y’s financial aid, Nikki was able to enroll Rea in preschool, improving her learning and development.

Through the Y’s early learning program, Rea’s pronunciation improved dramatically. “Previously, her vocabulary was less than 50 words,” said Nikki. “Now she can have a whole conversation.”

In addition, interacting with other children has taught Rea patience and kindness that Nikki appreciates because “I really want her to learn how to be a good person.”

Our Y not only re-opened our preschool and early learning centers but added a new YMCA Pali Nu‘uanu Preschool, at the Nu‘uanu Congregational Church. We will continue to expand and add additional sites to meet our community’s needs.

When the pandemic forced school closures, YMCA facilities provided secure remote learning environments for children that included academic and social support.

However, for many children whose distance learning took place at home, research indicates that school absence and diminished social interaction have hurt students. Statistics show Hawai‘i students lagging behind pre-pandemic reading, math, and science proficiency levels and experiencing increased anxiety and depression.

In collaboration with Mental Health America of Hawai‘i, we developed and piloted a social, emotional, and mental wellness program at our Camp Erdman Summer Camp that we later expanded to our fall day camps. Student surveys confirmed the positive impact of our efforts:

• 85% became more aware of their mental health,   
  
   
• 94% learned the importance of core values, better communication and socialization skills, and how to handle bullying situations,   
  
   
• 72% developed new coping strategies, and   
  
   
• 87% expanded their support systems and networks.

With these results, we continue to incorporate mental wellness and resilience-building activities into additional programs to help young people better cope with challenges today and tomorrow.

For 10 years, the YMCA College Camp has helped hundreds of underserved high school students graduate, pursue higher education, and realize their life-changing potential. Of those, up to 80% pursued or are pursuing higher education, with many being the first in their families to graduate with a college degree.

This summer, we welcomed 30 students and mentors to our first post-pandemic YMCA College Camp.

Staying at UH college dorms, students enjoyed community service projects, college campus tours, and workshops on financial aid, applying for college, and career exploration. College student mentors provide practical skills and inspiration for high school students in this free week-long program at the Atherton Y.

See our College Camp 2022 in action.

The David C. Ai Charitable Trust, in 2022, gave 450 teens a free summer membership at our Y through the ʻŌpio program that included special enrichment activities and social events, community service, and career and leadership development opportunities.

Statistics indicate risky behaviors like violence, drinking, and drug use increase during the summer when young people’s time is less structured. At our Ys, teens found safe places that were engaging, supportive, and fun!

Of the teens surveyed, 98% found our Ys to be welcoming places; 88% became more physically active; 86% gained new knowledge, skills, and abilities; and 88% said their Y teen membership helped them stay away from drugs and alcohol and other unhealthy behaviors.

Our Nu‘uanu Y and Leeward Y partnered with Times Pharmacies, First Vitals, NIU Health, and One Community Hawai‘i to offer free wellness fairs throughout the year that included COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and antibody tests, flu shots, biometric testing, and even dental screening.

Thousands used our free STRONG Challenges offered throughout the year to build healthy lifestyle skills.

The program included motivational tips and tools, access to our virtual YMCA360 platform with 1,500+ livestream and on-demand classes and activities, and community support.

Our first post-pandemic free family events helped thousands of kids and families have a healthier summer. At our 30th Annual Healthy Kids Day, families learned about Y programs and financial aid to keep everyone healthy and thriving.

Camp Erdman Community Day gave kids and families a chance to experience the fun and benefits of our great outdoors.

See all the action at Camp Erdman Community Day.

^{Kūpuna Food & Fun participants surprised Ms. Jean with an Irish bagpipe band, cakes, and lots of well wishes in honor of her 100th birthday!}

As one of the largest providers of kūpuna-focused programs, our “Kūpuna Food and Fun” program, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, has helped many kūpuna return to the community after isolating during the pandemic.

Today, hundreds of kūpuna are improving their physical and mental wellness through our Kūpuna Food and Fun program, which provides free nutritious meals, as well as enrichment and socialization activities three times a week at our Kaimuki-Wai‘alae, Kalihi, Leeward, Nu‘uanu and Mililani Ys.

At our Wai‘anae Coast YMCA, the new Kosasa Family Youth Program Building provides a safe space for our work with young people on the Wai‘anae Coast. For years, we have run substance abuse treatment programs in Wai‘anae and Nanakuli high schools and after-school and school break programs for teens. Our Wai‘anae Coast YMCA continues to be a place for teens to come after school and on weekends.

In 2022, we added an intergenerational program that brought together alternative school students and community kūpuna to build a healing garden. Kūpuna also teach our teens how to prepare culturally-based dishes, lei making, and weaving with native Hawaiian plants.

Fourth and fifth-grade students from our Y’s A+ Afterschool program at Wilson Elementary School participated in our Changemakers program that teaches youth how to identify and take action on community needs. Planning and hosting a family fundraising fair at our Kaimuki-Wai‘alae YMCA, students raised over $7,000 for Ukrainian children and families impacted by the war.

What a great way for children to learn they can make a difference while helping other children and families thousands of miles away! View KITV’s news coverage.