The Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP), is a cornerstone non-profit organization on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, passionately dedicated to empowering individuals, youth, and families in the Puna and East Hawaiʻi regions. Founded in 2002 in response to alarming rates of child abuse and neglect – particularly disproportionately affecting Native Hawaiian families – NPP has grown from humble beginnings to become the second largest homeless services provider in Hawaiʻi County. It embodies a profound commitment to fostering safe, stable, and nurturing communities by addressing the root causes of poverty, housing insecurity, and family stress through comprehensive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care.
The genesis of Neighborhood Place of Puna was a direct, compassionate response to a critical community issue. In the early 2000s, the Puna district of Hawaiʻi Island faced alarmingly high rates of child abuse and neglect. Recognizing this urgent crisis, particularly the profound impact on Native Hawaiian families, a collaborative effort emerged in 2002. This initiative, spearheaded by visionary founder Mary Hyslop, brought together community groups including the Island of Hawaii YMCA, Child Welfare Services, the Children's Justice Center, Turning Point for Families, and concerned citizens. Their collective aim was to establish a family-centered, community-driven home visiting prevention program.
Initially operating as a program under the Island of Hawaii YMCA from a modest office in Pahoa, NPP quickly demonstrated its vital role. In 2003, additional funding from the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund allowed for expanded services. To further solidify its reach and ensure long-term sustainability, Neighborhood Place of Puna officially became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2006. This pivotal step allowed them to deepen their roots in the community and significantly expand their programs. The organization continued to grow, opening an office in Hilo in 2013 in response to rising child abuse and neglect cases in that district. Today, with a dedicated team of over 50 staff members, NPP stands as a testament to the power of community-led solutions and compassionate intervention.
To fully appreciate the impact of Neighborhood Place of Puna, one must understand the unique landscape and challenges of the Puna district. Located on the windward (eastern) side of Hawaiʻi Island, Puna is a vast, diverse area spanning approximately 499 square miles – roughly the size of the entire island of Oʻahu. It encompasses lush rainforests, active volcanic landscapes (including Kīlauea), agricultural farmlands, growing subdivisions, and pristine black sand beaches.
Despite its natural beauty and tight-knit community, Puna grapples with significant socio-economic disparities. It has some of the highest rates of poverty in the State of Hawaiʻi, often characterized by isolation and limited access to basic public utilities such as waterworks, public transportation, internet, and even consistent cell service. Many households are secluded, relying on self-sufficiency for water, waste management, and power.
These factors contribute to a correlation between poverty, isolation, and an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. Indeed, Puna accounts for 21% of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases in Hawaiʻi County, with a staggering 39% of these cases involving Native Hawaiian children. Adding to these chronic stressors, Hawaiʻi Island is prone to natural disasters. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption, for instance, devastated Lower Puna, destroying hundreds of homes and displacing countless families. This constant threat of displacement, coupled with the rising cost of living and stagnating wages, exacerbates housing insecurity and compounds the challenges faced by families. NPP exists precisely because these interconnected issues can lead to profound stress, instability, and negative long-term outcomes for individuals and especially for children (keiki).
Neighborhood Place of Puna's philosophy of care is deeply compassionate and highly effective. They employ a non-stigmatizing, strength-based approach that respects each person's uniqueness. Recognizing that many families are in crisis due to overwhelming stressors, not inherent failings, NPP offers support without judgment, delivered through culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices.
They meet people where they are, offering a hand up rather than a handout, and focusing on building resilience and promoting healing. Their services are designed to be low-barrier, ensuring immediate access to vital resources.
NPP provides a multi-faceted approach to address the complex needs of the community, ranging from immediate crisis intervention to long-term skill-building and systemic advocacy.
The Coordination Center: This vital hub serves as the initial point of contact for Hawaiʻi County residents seeking help. With a physical drop-in center in Hilo and a robust call/text center (808-501-1413), the Coordination Center's trained Community Resource Navigators provide personalized support. They assist individuals and families in locating, navigating, and connecting with a wide array of resources, including housing assistance, financial aid, utility support, emergency shelter, food security, employment, and health services. The center also offers essential tools like computer and phone access, free Wi-Fi, and application assistance. Established as a pilot project in January 2022 and expanded in 2023 with County Homelessness and Housing Support Grants, it has already processed thousands of assistance requests and referrals.
Family Resource Center: As a central hub of resources and information, the Family Resource Center offers free and confidential strength-based services for families with minor children in Hawaiʻi County. Membership provides access to vital emergency supplies (diapers, wipes, hygiene items, clothing), essential parenting support (coaching, classes, informal talk-story sessions), skill-building workshops, and crucial guidance for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It's a place where families can find a helping hand and reduce isolation.
Hale ʻIki Emergency Shelter (Family Assessment Center): This temporary emergency shelter provides a safe haven for families with minor children experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of it. Operating with a "Housing First" approach, Hale ʻIki prioritizes immediate access to stable housing as the primary step toward long-term success. Staff provide intensive case management, working with families to identify and overcome barriers to permanent housing, thereby quickly stabilizing their living situations and preventing the trauma of prolonged homelessness for children.
Homeless Engagement Team (HET): The HET is dedicated to direct, compassionate outreach for individuals, couples, and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness across Hawaiʻi County. This team actively meets people where they are – on the streets, in parks, or in vehicles – offering connection, resources, and a pathway to stability. HET provides intensive, housing-first case management, empowering participants to access essential services and secure permanent housing, ultimately breaking the cycle of homelessness. HET is also a key partner in the Hawaiʻi County Homeless Engagement Hui (HCHE Hui), a collaborative effort with agencies like HOPE Services Hawaiʻi and Project Vision Hawaiʻi, conducting weekly street outreach and facilitating referrals.
Anchor Point Youth Center: Launched in collaboration with Hope Services Hawaiʻi and The Salvation Army, the Anchor Point Youth Center is a crucial new initiative supporting youth and young adults aged 14 to 24 who are facing homelessness or housing instability. Located in downtown Hilo, it provides a safe drop-in space with access to computers, phones, Wi-Fi, care packages, food, and vital support services from trusting adults. This program is designed to prevent vulnerable youth from falling through the cracks, thereby helping them avoid cycles of poverty, trauma, and instability that can extend into adulthood.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): In partnership with the County of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC), NPP helps administer the Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a direct response to housing affordability crises and homelessness, providing financial assistance to renters in need.
Parenting and Life Skills Education: Beyond crisis intervention, NPP provides intensive, in-home, developmentally appropriate parenting education and support. These services are crucial for equipping parents with the skills and confidence to raise healthy and safe children, especially in challenging circumstances.
Neighborhood Place of Puna's impact resonates deeply across Hawaiʻi Island. By focusing on prevention and providing comprehensive support, they directly contribute to:
Supported by various grants (including Title IVBII funds and County-level housing support) and crucial community donations, Neighborhood Place of Puna is a testament to the power of localized, compassionate action. Their tireless work ensures that every child has a chance to grow up safe, loved, and surrounded by a community that cares, transforming lives one family at a time on the beautiful, yet challenging, landscape of Hawaiʻi Island.
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