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ABOUT
Ke Kama Pono started in 2009 as a way to support Hawaiʻi's at-risk male youth. The purpose of the program is to rehabilitate adjudicated boys for successful re-entry into society in a safe, nurturing home environment.
This home environment is found in Partners in Development Foundation's Ke Kama Pono's Safe House. Groups of up to 12 adjudicated male juvenile offenders (ages 13 to 17) reside at the Oʻahu-based Safe House for between three to six months. The program works in conjunction with community organizers, mentors, substance abuse counselors, social service therapists, contract Department of Education (DOE) teachers, and more. These individuals' expertise and dedication are instrumental in the rehabilitation of the Safe House youth.
More than 210 youth have been served since the program’s inception. During that time, the recidivism rate (rate at which youth repeat criminal behavior) for the Ke Kama Pono youth has steadily decreased to sit at the current rate of 21%. The program's overall success rate is 79% compared to the national average of about 26%.
The program's high success rate is due to its comprehensive approach that includes:
- Strengths-based mentoring and teaching of trade skills
- On-site schooling and a credit recovery process
- Focus on service learning and civic responsibility
- Family reunification and mandatory involvement of the boys' families
Implementation of cultural activities, especially Native Hawaiian.
Recent News
Ka Paʻalana Completes Renovations
Our Ka Paʻalana and Ke Kama Pono programs recently finished some much-needed renovations on the classroom yurts at our Hope Shelter site.
PIDF Receives Grant from Nā ʻOiwi Kāne Fund at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) received a total of $25,000 from the donor advised Nā ʻŌiwi Kāne Fund at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.