Social Service: We Are Oceania

We Are Oceania (WAO)

We Are Oceania’s mission is to empower our Micronesian community to navigate success while honoring the integrity of our diverse heritage. - Jocelyn Howard, Program Director

The Micronesia region faces many challenges, such as U.S. militarization and weapons testing, loss of land from rising ocean levels, and lack of a sustainable local food supply. An estimated 15,000 to 17,000 people have left their homes in search of a better life for themselves and their families here in Hawai‘i.

Through an initial pilot grant awarded by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, Partners in Development Foundation serves as the mentor organization for We Are Oceania. We Are Oceania (WAO) was created by a core group of Micronesian leaders and stakeholders in Hawai‘i whose aim is to advocate for the overall health and wellbeing of Micronesian people and communities.

We Are Oceania is a unique organization. Their one-stop shop at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Kalihi is dedicated to the needs of the Micronesian community and offers a myriad of services. WAO’s services include translating documents, help finding employment, housing assistance, health insurance and welfare enrollment, and obtaining legal assistance where necessary.

The name “We Are Oceania” is rooted in the history of the indigenous people who navigated the vast North Pacific — today known as Micronesia. It honors the role of the ocean in binding these islands together rather than separating them, and providing abundant resources instead of depriving us of them.

The Joseph family is one of many to be helped by WAO. They initially came to Hawai‘i a few years ago to seek medical care for their patriarch, Binasius. They struggled to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers before coming to We Are Oceania in 2015. Once there, staff like Case Manager Kathy Martin helped the family obtain housing and Mrs. Joseph to find a job, and helped their children apply for college. “If you need assistance to fill out an application, if you need insurance, job, or a college application, go to [We Are] Oceania,” said Mr. Joseph. “Whatever you want to do, they’ll help you.”

Above: Mr. Binasius Joseph describing his family’s experience with We Are Oceania.

Below: Visit to WAO’s one-stop shop from the Honorable U.S. Ambassador to FSM (Federated States of Micronesia), Robert Annan Riley III, the U.S. Ambassador to RMI (Republic of the Marshall Islands), Karen B. Stewart, and the U.S. Ambassador to ROP (Republic of Palau), Amy J. Hyatt.

For more information, visit: www.weareoceania.org

Kupa ‘Aina is paving the way for a food-secure Hawai‘i by developing sustainable food production models and providing cultural ‘āina-based experiential learning. These production models involve methods like microbial reclamation to increase crop yields, nutrient density, and do so all using materials found locally on the ‘āina.

This project is a collective investment between Partners in Development Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, and the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center. This partnership shows the dedication of our partners in providing the framework for healthy and resilient communities through a collective commitment to training, educating, and making cultural experiences available firsthand.

Healthy and resilient communities would not be possible without healthy and abundant food, water, and shelter. As we seek sustainable solutions and what that means, we look to our Hawaiian ancestors and the wisdom they left us in mo‘olelo, ‘oli, and traditional practices.

“Na wai ho‘i ka ‘ole ke akamai, he alahele i ma‘a i ka hele ‘ia e o‘u mau makua.” Who would not be wise on a path walked upon by my parents and ancestors? - ‘Iolani Liholiho, Kamehameha II.

Through our collective efforts, the Kupa ‘Aina project has the opportunity to sow seeds of transformative change rooted in traditional Hawaiian values and wisdom. That way, our keiki will reap the benefits of healthy communities and a food secure future. Mahalo for all the hands that have made the beginning of this project a success!

Financial Highlights

WHERE OUR MONEY COMES FROM

Contributions, including-in-kind 2% Foundations & Corporate Gifts 9% Other revenue 0%

State Grants & Contracts 25%

Federal Grants 64%

WHERE OUR MONEY IS SPENT

Management & General 6% Fundraising & Development 2%

Programs 92%

2017 Operating Revenue & Support

Federal Grants State Grants & Contracts Foundations/Corporate Gifts Contributuons, incl. in-kind Other revenue Total Operating Revenue &

Support $13,366,097 5,184,539 1,890,665 435,782 130,414 $21,007,497 2017 Operating Expenses

Programs Management & General Fundraising & Development Total Operating Expenses $19,257,325 1,255,825 310,375 $20,823,525

“One of the more important financial ratios for nonprofit organizations is the ratio of program service expenses to total expenses, which provides an indication on how much of the organization’s resources are used for the benefit of those it serves. There is no minimum ratio; however, a program service ratio of 65% to 75% is typical for service organizations. For 2017, Partners in Development Foundation again achieved a program service percentage of approximately 93%. This means 93% of the Foundation’s efforts went to serving the community and only 7% went to overhead.” - Terri Fujii of CW & Associates, Inc., Independent Auditors

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as of December 31, 2017

Assets Current Assets Cash (including interest-bearing accounts) Grants and Contracts Receivable (Net) Prepaid Expenses Total Current Assets

Property and Equipment (Net) Lease Deposits Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

Total Assets

Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities Advances on line-of-credt Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities Deferred Revenue Capital Lease Obligations Total Current Liabilities Net Assets Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $2,025,591 1,693,088 143,487 3,862,166

182,738 54,204 37,230

$4,136,338

$108,000 1,047,024 812,973 641,874 28,832 2,638,703

1,312,059 185,576 1,497,635

$4,136,338