Hilo, Hawaii – Oct. 11, 2010 – On Friday, October 1, Carol Ignacio, Executive Director of the Office for Social Ministry (OSM), and The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu officially announced that OSM’s CARE-A-VAN program would now become HOPE Services Hawaii Inc, a statewide non-profit, providing an array of services to the homeless of Hawaii.

PR_10_11_image1_thumb“Although the name is changing, we will remain the same nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation providing the same services and programs to those most in need in the community with the same dedicated staff and support from the Diocese of Honolulu.” said Carol Ignacio, saying additionally, “Please note that the Office of Social Ministry Department will continue at the Diocese of Honolulu to work with our parishes and schools to build stronger, more self-reliant communities throughout Hawaii.

Bishop Larry Silva blessed the new offices at 1315 Kalanianaole Avenue, which will now be shared by OSM and HOPE Services Hawaii, and announced the appointment of Brandee Menino as the Chief Executive Officer of the new non-profit. The Diocese has employed Menino since 2001, when she was first hired as Program Director for CARE-A-VAN, and then promoted to Homeless Programs Administrator in 2003. Says Menino of the name change, “Bishop Larry Silva remains committed to helping the homeless, and the incorporation of the Office of Social Ministry’s Care-A-Van Department, as Hope Services Hawaii Inc., will allow us to be more visible throughout the state. We plan to expand our reach to all islands and do what we do best… serving the most vulnerable of our community. We look forward to continuing this work, bringing to life gospel values of justice, compassion and hope through service, empowerment and advocacy.”

With nearly 25 years of serving Hawaii through innovative programs, The Office for Social Ministry was established in 1986, as a department of the Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii. Their goal from the beginning, has been to help develop strong local island communities of social service and action. HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. will contribute to this goal in assisting the poor and homeless with better access to shelter, food, clothing and work opportunities.

For more information:
To contact OSM’s Executive Director, Carol Ignacio, please call 808.933.6005 or email Carol at {encode=”cignacio@rcchawaii.org” title=”cignacio@rcchawaii.org”}

To contact HOPE Services Hawaii’s Chief Executive Officer, Brandee Menino, please call 808. 933.6013 or email Brandee at {encode=”bmenino@hopeserviceshawaii.org” title=”bmenino@hopeserviceshawaii.org”}

Office for Social Ministry & HOPE Services Hawaii Inc.
1315 Kalanianaole Ave.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 935-3050 / Fax: (808) 935-3794

Contact: Brandee Menino
Chief Executive Officer
HOPE Services Hawaii Inc.
Phone: 808.933.6013
Email: {encode=”bmenino@hopeserviceshawaii.org” title=”bmenino@hopeserviceshawaii.org”}