The Interfaith Alliance Hawaii holds its Thirteenth Annual Awards Celebration and Dinner at the Hawaii Betsuin social hall on November 1, 2015. The theme is “Positive Response to the Houseless Crisis” and the event features keynote speaker Rick Blangiardi, Hawaii News Now General Manager. Among the 18 individuals and organizations to receive awards for their efforts with the houseless is Family Promise Hawaii. Hawaii Betsuin participates in Family Promise along with our fellow Honolulu Hongwanji Council temples (Jikoen, Kailua and Moiliili).

Family Promise assists homeless families learn and practice life skills and obtain a place to live. The organization was recently profiled by Hawaii News Now in a piece entitled, “Network of churches shelter homeless on Oahu.”

Hawaii News Now – KGMB and KHNL

For one week each quarter, Sangha and affiliate members provide Family Promise client families a safe place to sleep as well as breakfasts and dinners. Hawaii Betsuin, Jikoen, and Moiliili temples provide necessary facilities, and one or more members spend the night with the families to assist in the event of any emergency. Shirley Yanagisawa of Kailua Hongwanji has ably served as the coordinator for this effort.

Hawaii Betsuin fulfills its Family Promise responsibilities through the generosity of volunteers from the Dharma School, Buddhist Women’s Association, Girl Scouts, and Hongwanji Mission School. More than 150 volunteer hours are provided by Hawaii Betsuin during each quarterly engagement.

Congratulations to Family Promise and all the honorees on their awards at the upcoming Interfaith Alliance Hawaii awards dinner. The dinner is free and all are welcome to attend, but reservations are required. Please see our event page for details.

Alan Goto, a member of the Honolulu Hongwanji Council Committee on Social Concerns, provided information for this news item. Alan notes that additional Family Promise volunteers are sought to engage in compassionate action (Dana, or selfless service) in this way. Interested Sangha and affiliate members may contact the Betsuin office.