On Oct. 31, the diocese hosted its first “housewarming party” for formerly homeless veterans who have recently moved into their own places. Diocesan staff, friends and family brought new and gently used frying pans, rice cookers, blankets, sheets, dishes, glasses and more to the Kamiano Center next to the downtown cathedral for these service men and women to pick up free to make their house a home.
Every parish in Hawaii has parishioners who have served in the armed forces. Ministry to them is done in different ways.
Several years ago, veterans from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Honolulu conducted search parties to look for fellow vets living in parks and on the streets. They found their homeless brothers and sisters around Kaheka Street and in the Ala Moana area and found them help from our partner agency, U.S. Vets. Soon after, a team of veterans from St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani organized similar searches around Mililani, Kipapa and Waipio Acres. For several years now, this central Oahu parish has invited vets to a special liturgy around Veterans Day to honor them.
Again this year, the Office for Social Ministry is running an event for veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The National Guard and Veteran Stand Down and Job Fair, Nov. 10 at the National Guard Building 19 in Kalaeloa, is co-sponsored by the Veterans Administration, the State Office of Veteran Services and U.S. Vets.
Also on the planning team are representatives from the Institute for Human Services and the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program and State Family Program.
The day will begin with the national and state anthems performed by members of Youth Challenge, with the colors presented by the Kapolei High School JROTC. Teaching sessions will cover housing, job interviews and benefits. More than 30 service agencies will be there. A job fair will line up nearly 40 employers ready to interview and hire qualified veterans for part- and full-time positions. Volunteers will help vets write and print resumes.
This year, parishioners from Sts. Peter and Paul and St. John Apostle and Evangelist are on the planning committee. The Knights of Columbus from Mililani are assisting with logistics and parking. St. John’s outreach program will distribute toiletry packets. Other parish volunteers will provide refreshments and lunch for the veterans and all the participants.
The One Ohana: Food and Housing for All initiative in our diocese — inspired by Jesus’ servant leadership and Pope Francis’ call for us to be missionaries of joy living our faith in action — encompasses these ministries which reach out to veterans who are homeless. It prevents more veterans from slipping into homelessness and celebrates with those who have lifted themselves out from homelessness with the help of the community working as one ohana.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
PS: Gov. David Ige recently announced a new partnership with Hawaii Association of Realtors to encourage more private landlords to rent apartments to homeless tenants. Special meetings will be held in November to provide information about the protection and incentives that landlords will be given for renting to homeless persons. The first meeting is a “landlord summit,” Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Dole Cannery Pomaikai Room in Honolulu. For more information call Scott Morishige, the governor’s homeless coordinator at 586-0193, or go to www.hawaiirealtors.com.
