Women & Children Programs
Supporting Women In Prison
Courses, Events & Activities
Pre-Transition Course
A 12 week curriculum focused on life success planning for women about to exit prison and connecting resources to actual needs.
Pūʻā began the course at WCCC in May 2014 and at the Federal Detention Center in January 2016. The curriculum and coursework has been approved and accepted by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Cultural Healing and Well Being Course
A 12-week curriculum focused on sharing Native Hawaiian culture and history. Pūʻā Foundation’s community educational resources are used in the class – Ua Mea Ke Ea Textbook and DVD.
As part of the class and working with other courses at WCCC, the Foundation has been sponsoring the Hoʻike Huliʻau event - Hōʻike means – to show, exhibit and Huliau means – turning point, time of change. This is an annual event that highlights transformation through women sharing their personal stories from the various courses or activities they have participated in at WCCC. There is a showcase of talents of dance, singing, music and storytelling. Pūʻā Foundation organizes a community gathering and provides dinner before the main event. The first year Hōiʻke Huliau was presented was 2013.
Supporting Women Exiting Prison
Housing, Vocational and Professional Development Opportunities
Mercy House
Mercy House is a tangible resource and a collaborative movement providing transitional housing and support for women exiting prison and re-entering the community. Pūʻā Foundation, the Catholic Diocese, parishes, community organizations, WCCC and Hawaii Paroling Authority have collaborated to establish the Mercy House. The first resident was accepted December 2016.
See more about the Mercy House in this 4 minute video
Peer Support Specialist Certification Program
Connected to the Mercy House is the PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
See more below – the Dec. 2019 Cohort #1 Peer Support Specialist Training – Graduation Ceremony Photo & midweek article. As of May 2021 – six members of Cohort #1 have completed all requirements by the Dept. of Health for full certification, and four completed advanced Forensic Peer Support Training and Peer Support Supervisory Training. As of December 2021 – four members of Cohort #1 have completed Train-the-Trainers Training and are preparing to assist with training other Peer Support Specialist.
Dec. 2019 Cohort #1 Peer Support Specialist Training – Graduation Ceremony Photo & midweek article.
OLA: Pu’a Foundation’s Push for Peer Support
Article by Toni Bissen, Executive Director of Pu’a Foundation.
Reentry Partnership Collaborative
Connected to Mercy House and other housing providers, partnering efforts to provide peer support services. In development is Case Management and Therapeutic Services resulting in – HOUSING & PEER SUPPORT CONNECTION, WITH OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES.
INCARCERATION to INDEPENDENCE – CONTINUUM
Housing, Peer Support Connection with Case Management & Therapy
Waimanalo Community Farming Project
The Waimanalo Community Farming Project (WCFP) has a theme, “Malama Aina a me Malama Kanaka” (Care for the land and it will take care of you).
The WCFP incorporates ahupuaʻa land management approaches, Native Hawaiian traditional and cultural practices and farming best practices. WCFP objectives include: Working Together (Kākou), Healing, Health and Wellness (Olakino Maikaʻi) and Service (Kōkua). Support is provided for women in prison and those reentering community through ʻaina based healing experiences and vocational skill building.
The WCFP is set on 8 acres of land and the produce grown is to be shared with the community homeless and hunger outreach. Women on the workline from WCCC have been participating since 2017. There was limited access in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021 things are getting better. Seeds of love are being planted at the farm, and hands come together to malama aina.
