Executive Director’s Corner - December 2021
There is so much to be grateful for as we end this difficult year. Most especially, all of us at EPIC ‘Ohana are grateful for all of you. During those times this year when our hearts ached from grief and hurt, we were grateful for the spirit of aloha that endures within this complicated system serving our most vulnerable families and children. In those moments when we witnessed renewal, hope and healing, we were thankful for the steadfast courage of the many people who joined in our circles, our conferences, our meetings, and our network.
2021 was a milestone year for ‘Ohana Conferencing as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the very first conference. ‘Ohana Conferences continue to serve as a foundation for the families and service providers in the child welfare system. In 2021, we once again completed more than 1000 conferences, almost entirely on a virtual platform. We are hopeful that in 2022 we can safely begin in person conferences once again.
We also completed more than 300 Youth Circles, more than 500 family finding lists, and hundreds of wraparound meetings. Youth Partners and Parent Partners, individuals with lived experience, have walked along side peers to give encouragement and strength. We are pleased that our peer support is growing through collaborations serving youth with social and/or emotional challenges, and with homeless youth through Youth Outreach and Hale Kipa. Our parent peer support will soon be working with prenatal women experiencing substance use disorders and families in the Ka Pili ‘Ohana program through Lili’uokalani Trust.
HI H.O.P.E.S and the Independent Living Collaborative accomplished a great deal this year, including leadership in the distribution of $600,000 in direct pandemic relief to young people in foster care, and young people formerly in foster care. The network Nā Kama a Hāloa has pressed forward to engage a broad collaboration across the community to improve the lives of native Hawaiian children touched by the child welfare system.
In January, we will welcome a Deputy Director to EPIC - Julio Carranza. Julio grew up in foster care on the continent and has both a JD and a DSW. He brings both experience and a passion for those we serve. He joins a growing number in those with lived expertise in our organization.
Since 1998, EPIC ‘Ohana has been a convener and a connector building relationships that strengthen families and young people. Looking toward 2022 we know that our work is more critical than ever. Your continued support gives us resilience.
The song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” has been going through my head over and over again. I actually haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Remember the song?
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
I am deeply grateful for all of the incredible colleagues that I have within EPIC and for all of the incredible colleagues we have with all of you. Together we can find peace in ourselves, our relationships, our work, our families, and in our community.
With much aloha,
Laurie
