Together, the nonprofit organizations will open three donation centers on Maui and Oahu starting April
Goodwill Hawaii and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii (BBBS) recently formed a new partnership to open three donation PODs on Oahu and Maui that will benefit both nonprofit organizations starting April 1. Goodwill Hawaii will manage the operations for the new Goodwill Hawaii-BBBS attended donation centers located at the Kihei Recycling and Redemption Center (Maui), the Pukalani Longs Drug parking lot (Maui), and St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Aiea (Oahu).
“We believe in the mission and programs that Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii brings to the community and felt it was important to come together to support one another for the betterment of Hawaii’s families who are still dealing with the social and economic impacts of the pandemic,” said Goodwill Hawaii president and CEO Katy Chen. “It’s gratifying to know that the revenue generated from the sale of donations collected will stay right here in Hawaii to help our own people.”
Since the pandemic began, Goodwill has helped more than 2,000 people statewide to get the job training and employment services needed to get back to work. Goodwill’s programs are supported by the sale of community donations in its thrift stores. Ninety percent of the revenue generated in Goodwill’s thrift stores goes back into its programs that help low-income families, people transitioning out of incarceration, adults with disabilities, at-risk youth, immigrants and others with employment barriers.
“We are grateful to Goodwill Hawaii for this partnership and stepping up to manage some of our donation centers as it allows us to focus our efforts on our youth mentorship and development services” said Dennis Brown, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii president and CEO. “The pandemic has only added to the burden that many of our youth face and it’s important that we continue to put their needs at the forefront.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 1,400 Hawaii children and volunteers annually in its mentoring programs that help at-risk youth reach their goals and improve self-esteem. Research has shown that youth in their program are more likely to achieve educational success, avoid risky behaviors, and have increased social and emotional well-being.
For more information about Goodwill Hawaii, visit GoodwillHawaii.org. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, visit BBBSHawaii.org.
