MEDIA RELEASE

Healing Our Island Community Fund mini-grants are still available through the Hawaii County Resource Center (HCRC), a program of the Department of Research and Development. This fund, obtained through a state Grant-in-Aid, is designed to make funding available to grassroots groups that ordinarily have no access to traditional grant sources. The Healing Our Island Fund encourages grassroots involvement to plan and implement community-led anti-drug initiatives, services, programs and events in the County of Hawai`i. Over 400 community mini-grants have been awarded since the inception of this program to enable communities to connect and work in a united front to address substance abuse issues.

Grants are limited to not more than $2,000.00 and applicants are encouraged to collaborate and cooperate with others in their own communities and with other communities. Applications are reviewed monthly and applicants must apply for funds at least eight weeks prior to using the funds. Applications are due in the Department of Research and Development in Hilo or Kona by 4:30 p.m. on the 10^th of each month or the first business day following if it falls on a weekend or holiday.

To support potential applicants, district liaisons are available to serve as community grant coaches and collaborative facilitators. The liaisons can help applicants sort through grant paperwork and reporting requirements as well as monitor project progress and attend funded events. First time applicants are encouraged to contact their respective district liaisons before submitting an application.

More information and guidelines about the Healing Our Island Community Fund are available at www.hcrc.info. Applications are also available for pick up at the Department of Research and Development in Hilo at the Hilo Lagoon Centre at 101 Aupuni Street, PH-1014C or in Kona at the Lanihau Professional Center at 75-5591 Palani Road, Suite 2001 (next to Frame Ten Center-Kona Bowl). For more general information or questions, email hcrc@co.hawaii.hi.us or call Laverne Omori, Resource Center Specialist, at 327-3665.