The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty. Grants support direct services in the areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, and Aging, as well as serve a range of individuals, including women at risk, their children, older adults, people with disabilities, and the Jewish community.
In the beginning of May, 2024, the Weinberg Foundation convened Rural Learning partners from all across the State at Ka Waiwai Ma Koʻolau in Kaneohe, Hawaiʻi. This two-day gathering allowed for partners to identify their “North Star'', and define common values. The convening sparked opportunities to collaborate and pull inspiration from one another’s work, with the goal of amplifying their methods of contributing to the community.
This two-day gathering welcomed 12 Rural Learning partners: Ala Kukui, Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Hawaiʻi Community Lending, Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Hawaiʻi Investment Ready, Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative Hōlani Hāna, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU), The Food Basket, Waimānalo Health Center and Vibrant Hawaiʻi.
“As soon as I walked into this space, I automatically felt a large sense of belonging. I was in a room full of people who hold the same passion for the work that they do, and it is rooted in love - love for the ʻāina, and love for one another. It was very moving to see that we all have the same values, and that the work we do is genuine. The Weinberg Gathering opened my eyes to what others are doing for their community, and it was comforting knowing that collectively, we are exactly where we need to be to inspire change. I had left feeling so connected to everyone, and I am so much more aware of the abundance of support that exists” - Cienna Marie Corpuz, Kākoʻo
We would like to express our deepest mahalo to the Weinberg Foundation for supporting ‘OAKA, and allowing us the opportunity to grow our Adulting 101 Workshops and Ambassador Program. Through this partnership, we have invested in opportunity youth to increase engagement, grow leadership, and better equip them for the workforce. So far, our ʻOAKA team has engaged over 300 students from St. Joseph School, Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Sciences, Honokaʻa High, Waiākea High, Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino, West Hawaiʻi Explorations Academy, and Pāhoa High & Intermediate. In providing opportunities for youth to grow their confidence, and foster their professional skills, the true intent of our Adulting 101 Workshops is to contribute to the narrative that the best and the brightest are here to stay.
“The Weinberg Foundation has directly supported our ʻOAKA program for the last two years and so it was incredibly surreal to connect with the hui who made my learning journey possible. Their warm welcome and shared enthusiasm for our work, created the perfect conditions to develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships. Cienna and I had the opportunity to bond with representatives from HOPE Services, Waimanalo Health Center, and many others - each valuing the ʻōpio insight we bring. I hope young adults across the paeʻāina grow in their capacity to engage in similar spaces, cultivating leadership and a deep sense of kuleana along the way." - Amylia-Rae Gandolf, ʻOAKA Coordinator
To learn more about ʻOAKA, click HERE.