About Town 10-25-18

Members of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Pacific Media Group, KAPA FM, University of Hawaii – Palamanui, Konawaena High School Student Credit Union, Kealakehe High School Interact Club and Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani gathered to pack and distribute 7,217 school supplies collected for the Kako’o I Na Keiki Back To School Supply Drive. Courtesy photo
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HCFCU collects school supplies for local keiki

Thousands of students returning to school after their fall break are still enjoying their backpacks, notebooks, writing tools and more, collected by Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Pacific Media Group and Hawaii Island United Way during the Kako’o I Na Keiki Back To School Supply Drive. More than 7,200 items were donated to 30 elementary schools across Hawaii Island. The drive included drop offs at each of HCFCU’s branches, a radio remote event at the Kaloko branch and collecting monetary donations to purchase additional items.

“Our Credit Union and community support our keiki each year and we want every child and teacher to have the best school experience possible,” said Tricia Buskirk, President and CEO of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union.

For more information visit www.hicommfcu.com.

Arc of Kona receives $12K from The Arc and Walmart Foundation for employment program

The Arc of Kona has received $12,000 from The Arc of the United States and the Walmart Foundation to continue bridging the gap between the career world and workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), through The Arc@Work.

Research indicates 85 percent of people with I/DD are currently unemployed. However, with the right supports, many individuals with I/DD can successfully build a career alongside their peers without disabilities. With the Walmart Foundation’s generous support in 2016 and 2017, The Arc and its chapters significantly increased the number of individuals with I/DD placed in community-based employment.

Over this two-year span, the Walmart Foundation has supported The Arc@Work and chapters of The Arc located across the country in training more than 2,000 individuals and placing more than 800 individuals into competitive and community-based jobs. Additionally, participating chapters of The Arc have forged relationships with nearly 500 local and regional employers, connecting them with job candidates and providing staff training on creating inclusive work environments.