Vision Statement
- Bring positive changes to underdeveloped communities through the core values of aloha and unity.
Mission Statement
- To help build a strong community through distributions of household goods, food, and clothing.
- To offer strong educational programs through networking with other members and agencies on Oahu.
- To offer assistance for those who are seeking employment opportunities, licensing, and housing.
OUr management team
executive director/ PRESIDENT
|
Vice President
|
Secretary
|
treasurer
|
Mākaha Community Center (MCC) is a non-profit Christian based organization that was founded by the Former Executive Director, Pastor Jeffrey Yamashita, on December 04, 2008. Mākaha CC was formed to bring educational, feeding, and occupational programs that provide equal opportunities for underprivileged students and communities. Food and clothing distributions were held on a weekly basis on site. Overtime, construction of a building began on the property and all Mākaha CC's services ceased. Pastor Abigail Eli (Abbi) continued the work of Mākaha CC's vision in the summer of 2016 and resurrected the non-profit status beginning, September 18th, 2020. Below has the story that brought Mākaha Community Center back to life again..
Pastor Abigail Eli (New Executive Director), in the summer of 2016, Abbi took her 12 children to live with the houseless in the village of Pu'uhonua o Waianae. One of the largest homeless encampments in the state of Hawaii, located at the Waianae Boat Harbor. During their two month stay, they witnessed three generations of homeless families that were living in the same encampment. Pastor Abbi was also surprised that many of the teens were rarely ever attending school or had completely dropped out. The pressure from stigmatization and lack of quality resources were root causes. She knew that they were going to become the next generation of homeless if someone didn't step into their world. Since leaving the encampment, Immediately after returning home, Pastor Abbi began working as a substitute teacher in Waianae.. A newly formed dream of creating a tutoring center to aid underprivileged students was birthed. Pastor Abbi began her college journey because she knew that she could not take her students where she had never been. Since then, she has received her B.S. in Secondary Education Degree with a Licensure in Mathematics. In August 2023, Pastor Abbi was hired by the Department of Education as the Community Concerns Homeless Liason for the Nanakuli-Waianae district. Her dream of making a difference for the hurting communities on Oahu was unfolding. Mākaha CC's tutoring services began. The tutoring center at Mākaha CC focuses on providing quality education and bringing stability into the lives of high-risk students, especially from homeless encampments, transitional shelters, and low-income housing. Mākaha CC is determined to help our community become successful from kindergarten through college, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
Pastor Abbi resurrected Mākaha Community Center's vision first in the living-room of the Eli home, deciding that waiting for a building to be completed, was not an option. She removed her couches from her living-room and lined both sides of her walls with desks and purchased used iMacs, and the tutoring began without delay. Children from the homeless encampment would walk two miles, daily, to come to their home. The Eli's began picking up children from the homeless encampments and transitional shelters soon after. The tutoring center focuses on completing homework and building proficiency in typing, math, and reading. Many of their students have made gains in their academics after a month of tutoring.
Apart from the tutoring portion of this center, Mākaha Community Center has been actively involved in picking up donations all around the island of Oahu and distributing them to families living in homeless encampments, transitional, or low-income housing. Mākaha CC has discovered that when families do not have their felt needs met, there is a profound effect on the students ability to be able to focus on educational achievement. Meeting the felt needs for impoverished families help to provide stability which is a platform for quality education to be received.
Partnered with Waianae Assembly of God, as of October 12, 2020, Mākaha CC moved from the Eli's living-room to the address of 84-123 Mākaha Valley Rd. Mākaha CC's commitment is to "Be The Change" to those living in poverty all throughout Waianae, Hawaii. Currently, Mākaha CC has been servicing over 7000 families around the island of Oahu. Together we can make a difference.
Pastor Abigail Eli (New Executive Director), in the summer of 2016, Abbi took her 12 children to live with the houseless in the village of Pu'uhonua o Waianae. One of the largest homeless encampments in the state of Hawaii, located at the Waianae Boat Harbor. During their two month stay, they witnessed three generations of homeless families that were living in the same encampment. Pastor Abbi was also surprised that many of the teens were rarely ever attending school or had completely dropped out. The pressure from stigmatization and lack of quality resources were root causes. She knew that they were going to become the next generation of homeless if someone didn't step into their world. Since leaving the encampment, Immediately after returning home, Pastor Abbi began working as a substitute teacher in Waianae.. A newly formed dream of creating a tutoring center to aid underprivileged students was birthed. Pastor Abbi began her college journey because she knew that she could not take her students where she had never been. Since then, she has received her B.S. in Secondary Education Degree with a Licensure in Mathematics. In August 2023, Pastor Abbi was hired by the Department of Education as the Community Concerns Homeless Liason for the Nanakuli-Waianae district. Her dream of making a difference for the hurting communities on Oahu was unfolding. Mākaha CC's tutoring services began. The tutoring center at Mākaha CC focuses on providing quality education and bringing stability into the lives of high-risk students, especially from homeless encampments, transitional shelters, and low-income housing. Mākaha CC is determined to help our community become successful from kindergarten through college, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
Pastor Abbi resurrected Mākaha Community Center's vision first in the living-room of the Eli home, deciding that waiting for a building to be completed, was not an option. She removed her couches from her living-room and lined both sides of her walls with desks and purchased used iMacs, and the tutoring began without delay. Children from the homeless encampment would walk two miles, daily, to come to their home. The Eli's began picking up children from the homeless encampments and transitional shelters soon after. The tutoring center focuses on completing homework and building proficiency in typing, math, and reading. Many of their students have made gains in their academics after a month of tutoring.
Apart from the tutoring portion of this center, Mākaha Community Center has been actively involved in picking up donations all around the island of Oahu and distributing them to families living in homeless encampments, transitional, or low-income housing. Mākaha CC has discovered that when families do not have their felt needs met, there is a profound effect on the students ability to be able to focus on educational achievement. Meeting the felt needs for impoverished families help to provide stability which is a platform for quality education to be received.
Partnered with Waianae Assembly of God, as of October 12, 2020, Mākaha CC moved from the Eli's living-room to the address of 84-123 Mākaha Valley Rd. Mākaha CC's commitment is to "Be The Change" to those living in poverty all throughout Waianae, Hawaii. Currently, Mākaha CC has been servicing over 7000 families around the island of Oahu. Together we can make a difference.
Where it all began....
family with 12 children live with homeless VOLUNTARILY
Seeing need all around them, here’s how one Hawaii family decided to act
