Categorized | Volunteering

Resource Expo: ‘People helping people’

(Photo courtesy of HFFCU)

MEDIA RELEASE

While the Hawaii First Community Resource Center works hard everyday to deliver solutions to the people of Hawaii County, the need for various other solutions is still ever present. This is why Hawaii First created a way to collaborate with various organizations and agencies to ensure these needs are being met.

On Friday, Jan. 28 at Waimea Shopping Center (KTA), Hawaii First hosted the first ever Hawaii First Community Resource Expo. The focus of the day was “An afternoon of people helping people” and that focus was exactly what was provided.

This expo offered the services of more then 30 agencies and organizations from around the state who provided live, active applications and resources, attracting hundreds of Big Island residents and families, sending them home with solutions.

The Hawaii First Community Resource Expo had everything from free professional makeovers to pre-screening and applications for EBT. The Expo was even visited by the Congresswoman Mazie Hirono who was able to outreach with the people and hear the compelling stories our people have to share.

This Expo also marked National EITC Day, which represents the earned income tax credit that can be received and utilized to get you ahead for the new year.

As Hawaii First provides free income tax preparation to the community through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, this earned income tax credit was a hot topic at the Expo as many people are eligible to receive it.

Many were taking advantage of the free income tax preparation services and resume preparations which were being offered by the Hawaii First team during the expo.

“After hours and hours of planning and preparation, we were able to deliver a large amount of resources to our community through this Expo. It was such a rewarding experience seeing all of the people filling out forms, asking questions and receiving assistance, then moving to the next resource, one after the other. This is exactly what it is all about,” said Mahealani Thompson, community development representative.

(Photo courtesy of HFFCU)

“This Expo was truly a great way for this side of the island to benefit from all of the needed services out there that are quite far from where we live. Here at Hawaii First, our team holds themselves to a higher level of standards, which means it is our duty to ensure that we are doing all we can to help our community members thrive, and that is exactly what this Expo was all about. An afternoon of people helping people,” said Alycia Juvik, community development director.

A few of the services provided included free resume’ assistance, professional dress attire makeovers, various immediate needs toiletries and items, nail art, makeup application, acupuncture, prescreening & application assistance for S.N.A.P. benefits (E.B.T.), rental assistance programs, Section 8 assistance, low interest loans for home repair, blood pressure readings, keiki and senior identification cards, keiki face painting and temp tattoo’s, financial services opportunities, legal assistance, scholarship information, employment assistance, social services and childcare assistance.

Participants included: Hawaii First FCU, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, KTA Superstores, Mamas House Thrift Store, Office For Social Ministry, County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, Family Support Services of West Hawaii, Legal Aid Society, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii County Fire Department, Hawaii County Police Department, State of Hawaii Veterans Affairs, American Cancer Society, Hamakua Health Center, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Child Care Connection (Arbor), Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii, Punana Leo O Waimea, County of Hawaii, Waimea Community Association, various local representatives, amongst many others.

Hawaii First Federal Credit Union (HFFCU) is a not-for-profit, community-based, low income designated Federal Credit Union, which was organized in 1956. Hawaii First serves as a catalyst through providing Hawaii County with many no cost services focused on overall community revitalization and economic development. HFFCU proudly serves the entire Island of Hawaii through its multiple branches and programs such as the Hawaii first Community Resource Center.

The Hawaii First Community Resource Center (HFCRC) is a community outreach program of Hawaii First Federal Credit Union. This “first of its kind” no-cost Community Resource Center, provides services to any residents of the Big Island, focusing on Hawaii’s much needed economic development, one family at a time.

(Photo courtesy of HFFCU)

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