HONOLULU (HI Now) - Ho’ōla Nā Pua’s Starfish Mentoring Program aims to create new, healthy connections through mentorship to guide mentees toward self-efficacy and empowered living. The long-term goal is to provide a critical piece of the continuum of care in order to reduce victimization/revictimization and support healthy social reintegration.
Mentees are at-risk, vulnerable, and commercially sexually exploited youth between the ages of 11-24 years of age. They are matched with a mentor who has received over 30 hours of training and a thorough background check. Mentors commit to meeting one-to-one with their youth weekly for no less than one year.
Through this program, mentors meet youth where they are in the community, including if they are placed in foster care or in a facility. Mentoring is complementary and supplementary to services youth already receive and provide a consistent and healthy relationship that remains with youth throughout their journey of healing.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or would like to request a mentor, visit hoolanapua.org/starfish-mentoring-program/.
We understand that the content of this program and its conversation may be sensitive for some viewers. You are not alone and organizations like Ho’ōla Nā Pua are here to help. For more information, visit www.hoolanapua.org
IN DANGER, NEED HELP, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES?
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888.373.7888 or text HELP to 233733; State of Hawaii Child Protective Service: (CWS) Hotline 1.808.832.5300 (24/7) or 1.888.380.3088 (Neighbor Islands) (24/7); Ho’ōla Nā Pua Main Office: 808.445.3131; Ho’ōla Nā Pua’s Pearl Haven: admissions@pearlhavenhawaii.org or 808.900.8740.
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