Hawaii Island organization announced it was awarded $2.75 million from fund backed by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos to support initiatives to combat family homelessness.
By Associated Press, Wire Service Content Nov. 23, 2019, at 3:17 p.m. 
Hawaii Organization Gets $2.75M Grant to Fight Homelessness
HILO, HAWAII (AP) — A Hawaii Island organization has announced it was awarded $2.75 million from a fund backed by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos to support initiatives to combat family homelessness.
West Hawaii Today reported Friday that Hope Services Hawaii Inc. would use the money to look at better strategies to support families, including outreach, a street medicine program and an emergency shelter.
Hope Services CEO Brandee Menino says a street medicine pilot program began earlier this year where medical professionals ride with outreach teams weekly to assess the medical concerns of people living on the street.
Officials say the Day 1 Families Fund awarded $98.5 million to 32 organizations across 23 states this year.
Officials say Hope Services was the only organization in Hawaii this year to receive the one-time grant.
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Information from: West Hawaii Today, http://www.westhawaiitoday.com
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