The YWCA of Hawaii Island again was the recipient of the labor of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay as part of its Weinberg Friends Project. The work earned a $10,000 grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to aid survivors of sex assault.
More than 25 Rotarians recently perked up the YWCA of Hawaii Island Ululani campus. They cleaned, gardened, painted inside and out, scrubbed toys, power-washed exterior areas and removed debris at the complex, which houses the YWCA preschool.
“They put in a hundred people hours of work and everything looks great,” said Kathleen McGilvray, CEO of YWCA Hawaii Island.
The Weinberg grant was awarded to the Big Island Coalition Against Physical and Sexual Assault, which provides nursing assessments to children reported to be victims of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, regardless of their ability to pay.
“We are so pleased to partner with BICAPSA as we serve survivors of sex assault. We expect over 300 abused children could need these services this year,” McGilvray said.
As the YWCA Hawaii Island has been a recipient of Rotary Club of Hilo Bay’s Weinberg projects before, it was able to quickly respond to the club’s request for a proposal.
“The end result proved the value of a bunch of strong business and community leaders working together on a service project,” said Kevin Hopkins, president of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay.
The YWCA of Hawaii Island’s mission is the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. Established in 1919, the organization offers services and programs that include a nationally accredited preschool, 24/7 sex assault hotline and services for survivors, Hawaii Island Teen Court and a home visitation program to prevent child abuse and neglect for East Hawaii children ages 3 and younger.
The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, chartered in 1988, averages about 50 members representing business, nonprofit agencies and numerous professions. It has participated in the Weinberg Friends Program for 18 years. Its signature fundraising event is Hilo Bay Oktoberfest.
The group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings for breakfast. For more information, visit HiloBayRotary.com.
