HILO–Three nonprofit organizations held a blessing today for a new youth homeless outreach center in downtown Hilo. The center is a multi-agency nonprofit partnership among Hope Services Hawaiʻi, Neighborhood Place of Puna, and The Salvation Army.
Located on Kinoʻole Street across from Hilo Central Fire Station, the building is master leased by Hope Services Hawaii. It includes three commercial spaces and 22 residential units, and both homeless services and long-term supportive rentals will be provided on-site.
The residential units, located on the upper floor, will be available as affordable housing for youth aged 18-24 who are overcoming homelessness or are at imminent risk of entering homelessness.
Neighborhood Place of Puna will operate two commercial units on the ground floor. A local business currently leases the third space.
Neighborhood Place of Puna will use its spaces to house its Homeless Engagement Team and its new program, the Anchor Point Youth Center, which will support at-risk youth with safe spaces and access to essential services.
“The Anchor Point Youth Center offers youth who are experiencing homelessness a safe place where they can access resources, connect with opportunities, and — most importantly — find the hope and help they need to find housing and a better life,” said Paul Normann, Executive Director of Neighborhood Place of Puna.
Normannʻs team also runs the Hawaiʻi County Homeless Engagement Hui, which provides ongoing updates on the number of people experiencing homelessness in Hawaii County. As of February 18, the Hui reported that 83 transitional-age youth aged 14-24 had been encountered on the streets, while 79 people in the same age bracket reported housing instability.
“As a youth, I needed support but didn’t know where to start,” said Minnie Cain, Neighborhood Place of Punaʻs program coordinator for Anchor Point Youth Center.
Cain, who grew up in a single-parent home and witnessed the struggles of addiction, said she knows firsthand the importance of having a supportive structure in place.
She calls the new center “a game-changer for our community, offering essential services and opportunities for young people to thrive.”
“Many youth are still living in survival mode, just as I did, and I’m committed to ensuring they receive the guidance and resources that can help them take control of their lives,” Cain said.
The Salvation Army will also play a role in ensuring youth have access to available resources.
“The Salvation Army will refer our young adults that need housing to the apartments above the youth center,” said Roxanne Costa, Hawaii County Social Services Director at The Salvation Army.
In addition to referrals, The Salvation Army offers various housing services to young adults and former foster youth and will provide needed support to residents of the long-term rental housing.
The programs operated by Neighborhood Place of Puna and The Salvation Army are being funded by the County of Hawaii– Office of Housing & Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund, which supports grantees’ programs to address homelessness, housing instability, and community development.
HOPE Services Hawaiʻi’s startup funding for affordable housing was provided by the Hawaii State Governor’s Office of Homelessness & Housing Solutions, Kauhale Initiative.
Brandee Menino, CEO of Hope Services Hawaiʻi, said her team is excited to welcome Hawaii Island Youth to the new center.
“Our teams have been hard at work getting the space ready, and now we invite our community to help our youth thrive in this space,” she said. “You can help change the course of a young person’s life. Please consider sponsoring a unit, creating a garden, or volunteering to help with maintenance.”
Anchor Point Youth Center is scheduled to open on March 3. Move-ins for the long-term rental units are planned for mid-March.
You can help by donating your time, talent, or treasure to Hope Services Hawaiʻi (www.hopeserviceshawaii.org, or contact jcabal@hopeserviceshawaii.org) or to Neighborhood Place of Puna (www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org, or Minnie Cain at minnie@neighborhoodplace.org).
About Hope Services Hawaiʻi
Hope Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. is a nonprofit affiliate organization of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaiʻi. It works to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring on Hawaiʻi Island. Hope operates seven shelters with 168 beds across the island, including outreach, street medicine, behavioral health, housing, prevention, diversion, case management, and more.
About Neighborhood Place of Puna
Neighborhood Place of Puna is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting families and individuals on Hawaiʻi Island with accessing the necessary tools and resources they need to thrive to create a safe, stable, and nurturing community. Its mission is to empower families and communities in Puna and East Hawaiʻi by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person’s uniqueness. E mālama pono kākou!
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services provides residential, prevention, and intervention services to adolescents in communities on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi and Maui. Its mission is to provide youth with skills for a healthy lifestyle and instill purpose, hope, and vision to youth and their families.
Hope Services FAQ
Does Hope Services Hawaiʻi own the building?
Hope Services assumed the master lease, and subleases to the other tenants in the building.
When will youth move into the long term housing units?
Move-ins will begin by mid-March. We are working with outreach teams to identify folks in the next two weeks to move into the units that are ready. Some of the units still need renovations, so we are working to get them move-in ready. Additionally, we also have a handful of existing tenants who we will help to relocate to other affordable housing units in the community.
How old do youth have to be to get a lease? How many people can live in each unit?
People aged 18-24 are eligible to sign a lease. The units are open to people who have household members outside that age range (e.g. older partners, or younger children) as long as one person living in the unit is 18-24.
The units are targeted toward singles because they are approximately 10’x11’ each, but couples and small families are welcome.
What if thereʻs someone under 18 who needs housing?
Youth under 18 would live at the Salvation Army or another group home. We are unable to lease to minors.
How much will the apartments cost?
If a voucher can be obtained, the monthly rent will be no more than 30% of the tenantʻs income. The County has 14 vouchers available.
For a tenant who cannot obtain a voucher, contract rent will be $950 per month including utilities.
How can people get into the apartments?
If you are a foster youth or aging out of foster care soon, connect with the Salvation Army. If you’re a youth experiencing homelessness, connect with Hope Services Hawaiʻi or Neighborhood Place of Puna. Our outreach team will assist you.
I want to sponsor a unit or help in another way.
Contact Joycelyn Cabal at jcabal@hopeserviceshawaii.org or 808-217-2830.
You can also donate online at www.hopeserviceshawaii.org.
Neighborhood Place of Puna FAQ:
What is the purpose of Anchor Point Youth Center?
Anchor Point Youth Center provides a safe, supportive environment for Transitional Aged Youth (ages 14-24) in our community who are experiencing or at risk of unsheltered homelessness. We strive to empower young people through resources, compassion, and community engagement.
What are the Hours of Operation?
Anchor Point Youth Center is open on the following hours:
• Mondays 1230 pm – 600 pm
• Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 am – 6 pm
What services does Anchor Point Youth Center offer?
The youth center offers a variety of essential services, including Wi-Fi and computer access, printer facilities, and charging stations. We provide connection to case management, application assistance, and help with ordering vital documents. The center also hosts youth and staff-led activities and workshops, as well as offers care packages, harm reduction supplies, and access to food. Additionally, we offer a safe space for young people to store vital documents and receive the support they need.
Who is that staff?
Anchor Point Youth Center is led by Director of Community Engagement, Billi Jo Pike, with Program Coordinator, Minnie Cain, overseeing the daily operations to ensure everything runs smoothly. Our Youth Advocates, Destiny Amaral and Michael Zamarripa, are on-site to provide support and assist youth with their needs.
When does Anchor Point Open?
Anchor Point Youth Center opening date will be March 3rd.
How can Anchor Point be contacted?
Phone: (808) 745-1199
Address: 485 Kinoole Street
How can I help?
We appreciate any donations, whether they are financial, supplies, or volunteer time. Donations can be made through contacting us through the Neighborhood Place of Puna website or contacting us directly at the center.
What is in the Homeless Engagement Team that will be in the other unit Neighborhood Place of Puna is operating?
The Homeless Engagement Team (HET) is dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate outreach and comprehensive support for individuals, couples, and families facing the challenges of unsheltered homelessness across HI County. Our mission goes beyond temporary relief; we are committed to providing intensive, housing-first case management that prioritizes immediate access to essential services. HET empowers participants to seize opportunities that lead to permanent housing solutions, effectively breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Salvation Army FAQ:
What other services does The Salvation Army offer for young adults?
o Housing Services we offer young adults and former foster youth, 18 to 26 years of age include:
o Temporary rental assistance program
o One time financial assistance (security deposits, utilities)
o Case Management/Referral Services
o Life Skills Training
o Financial Literacy
o Foster Youth Initiative (FYI)
o Funded through the Office of Housing and Community Development
o Section 8 Housing Assistance
o Assistance with the referral and application process