Weinberg Foundation Provides Preschool Funding for Homeless Children and Families December 22, 2015

Partners In Development Foundation (PIDF) was presented with $25,000 for its Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program, which serves homeless and at-risk families on the Leeward Coast of Oʻahu. Through various collaborative partnerships, Ka Paʻalana assists families by providing basic needs items as well as educational programming (Family Child Interaction Preschool, Parent Education, Adult Education, and Home Visiting) to equip families toward greater self sufficiency and prepare children for school success.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (HJWF), one of the largest private foundations in the United States, hosted an elegant Christmas luncheon for our Ka Paʻalana program participants at 3660 On The Rise. Parents, along with their children, rode in on buses from various homeless shelters along the Waiʻanae Coast. Upon arrival, the children and families were greeted by HJWF Staff and escorted into a private banquet room where they were greeted by Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen, as well as Stuart from Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me. There were many different activity stations for the parents and children to participate in such as painting hand-drawn (by HJWF Staff) super heroes, and getting spray art tattoos and balloon creations. Lunch was prepared and served by Chef Russell Siu and Staff at 3660 On The Rise, and after eating, each child was called up (by name) to sit with Santa as they were presented with their very own sack of presents.

“This is the best thing that will happen for most of these families this Christmas,” said Danny Goya, Program Director for Ka Paʻalana. PIDF is forever grateful for the continuous generous support of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for all they have been doing to help fulfill the mission and vision of building healthy and resilient communities throughout Hawaiʻi.