Economic hardship for Hawaiʻi households has increased dramatically since COVID hit our shores. When stay-at-home orders were issued and businesses began shutting down, the number of helpline calls to Aloha United Way 211 have spiked dramatically. Today, the AUW helpline has steadied at a 600 percent increase from pre-COVID-19 days. Rent remains the top concern, with health care and employment/income close behind.
AUW has responded with a “COVID-19 Rent and Utility Assistance Program” and to date, 606 households have been saved from eviction, allowing 1,056 adults and 968 children to keep a roof over their heads and not forced to live on the streets.
You have an opportunity to show your support for our Hawaiʻi family and friends. Please visit the UH AUW webpage and log in with your UH user/password to donate. You also can obtain a form-fillable pledge (PDF). For instructions/help, visit the UH ePledge page. To earmark your donation toward a specific nonprofit org, visit the AUW Nonprofit Donor Choice booklet.
The Office of Communication Services is this year’s department coordinator for CTAHR donations. For questions, please contact OCS at ocs@ctahr.hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7036. Mahalo for your kōkua.