Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kamaaina Kids recently received a grant thanks to a hui of people determined to help support Hawaii’s keiki and families by providing full-time child care to students in grades K-5, amid a unique school year on Hawaii Island.
The grant awarded by the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund, allows Kamaaina Kids — in conjunction with other community partners — to provide a creative and fun distance learning support center for a limited number of children in Waimea.
Consider this program the most full-service study hall your child will ever experience!
Kamaaina Kids will have the necessary equipment available to support students with their school work each day, and the organization’s dedicated staff will provide homework assistance and supervision to ensure and support the enriching educational experience they are receiving from their teacher.
Structured to be convenient for working parents, and built to promote the success of keiki, the program is available 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 31 and includes breakfast, a snack and lunch.
With this grant, tuition is heavily subsidized, allowing the organization to offer this limited-space program at a fraction of what parents would normally pay for quality full-time care. The grant also covers the costs of necessary materials to meet elevated sanitation requirements to ensure a healthy and safe environment.
The health and well-being of all children and staff is the top priority of Kamaaina Kids; therefore, all children and staff are subject to precautionary measures such as wearing masks, temperature checks, small group sizes, social distancing, etc.
For more information regarding the Super Study Hall program, contact school-age manager Von Galdeira at 987-0497 or von@kamaainakids.com.
To learn more about the school-age child care programs available and to enroll your child, visit the Kamaaina Kids website at www.kamaainakids.com, and don’t forget to visit Kamaaina Kids on Facebook to see pictures of the exciting programs being offered.
Kamaaina Kids is a nonprofit organization and currently one of the largest child care providers in the state, serving nearly 10,000 children and families with 1,200 employees throughout all of its divisions at 100 locations statewide.
Know a Hometown Hero that should be highlighted next Wednesday? It can be anybody, from a youngster doing good for the community, to a professional helping with the COVID-19 pandemic, or even a kupuna! Please send your nominations to cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com with the subject: Hometown Heroes Nomination. Please include the hero’s name, contact information and what makes them a hero.