The Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC), in an effort to promote community involvement and further professional development for its members, humbly invites you to participate in our inaugural Nijikai event.

Where: The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace

When:   Friday, June 1, 2012 from 6 -10pm                 CLICK ON DONATE

Why:     To benefit Kids Hurt Too Hawaii &              IN THE RIGHT COLUMN

the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition

“To show your support for Hawaii’s most vulnerable keiki, make donation to this fundraiser through PayPal in the amount of $60 which will get you a free pass to an evening of entertainment, food samples from popular local eateries, a three hour host bar, lucky drawing prizes, and much more! Or buy a table for ten for $1000 and get wine at your table plus gift bags for all of your guests.”

Services are free for participant families and HFYC members, supported by donations. To hear from children about our services click on this link: Kids share. It becomes active after you follow the read more prompt.

Services include:

1) Kids hurt too – peer support and mentoring programs for orphans, foster children, and children separated from one or both parents due to divorce, incarceration, or other causes.

2) Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition (HFYC) – a youth led group of current and former foster youths, ages 14-24, who provide education, advocacy, and support to help improve the foster care system so transitioning age youths have hope and can reach their goals. See more about them on the link to their website.

3) Educational services that include training volunteers in facilitating children’s grief, trauma, and mentoring; presentations on children’s grief and trauma, training in group work with children, and more.

4) Crisis interventions for families impacted by suicide, homicide, and violent deaths and suicide prevention for children and teens.

5) Kid’s Heart Project for providing and developing grief and trauma support programs for children and families impacted by the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.

Parent loss devastates children and families. It may lead to child abuse or neglect as families struggle with adjusting to unwanted changes. The death of or separation from one or both parents may result in health, mental health, and behavior problems as children’s coping mechanisms are overwhelmed by the stress of such a major life change. When a parent is missing, it tends to create a social stigma that blocks families from receiving the community support they need in a time of crisis. Our programs strengthen families, bringing them closer in a time of tragic loss and engaging them in needed community resources. We improve children’s health and behavior by easing the suffering and pain that accompanies parent loss.

September 29 & 30 and October 6 & 7, 2012

All four days required. If you are interested call 545-5683. Volunteers are need to facilitate in peer support groups with children, teens, or adults. We ask for a one year commitment to provide consistency for the children. Volunteer time can be as little as four hours once a month or four hours twice a month. The cost is $75 or you can apply for a sponsorship if the fee is an obstacle for you.

The training is available for those who do not want to volunteer but the cost is $250.

To register download the registration form and send it to Kids hurt too.