Many of you know that about five years ago, I became a volunteer guardian ad litem in the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. Here, I finally found my "niche" as a future social worker and attorney. I have dedicated much time, love and energy towards this program, and subsequently to Family Programs Hawaii. Our current tag line is "We help kids," but that mission is expanding. We help families, even before social services need to intervene.
Three years ago, I was invited to join the Board of Directors of this wonderful agency (see more about it at http://www.familyprogramshawaii.org), while in the midst of law school.
Yep, law school. The very first time I stepped into a courtroom as a CASA, I knew I needed to be a better advocate. So I took the LSAT, applied to law school, and was accepted. Roughly 3 years later I passed the bar exam, and another six months later, I was sworn in as an attorney.
I was on sabbatical from the Board of Directors while studying for the bar exam. After I passed, a new opportunity opened up - Chair of the Board of Directors.
I love this organization, and the things that it does. With some mild trepidation (I had time on my hands, but not the fund raising skills), I took on the challenge of Board Chair.
It's been a year of change, our mission is refocusing on strengthening families, we are in a partnership with Argosy University to do the same, as well as to do assessments for Family Court.
But underneath it all, we still help kids. And that is what Feast in the Fields is about. Chef Aptakin will be cooking a field to table meal, and Hawaii's own Kimie will be our musical guest. Our chief purpose is to raise unrestricted funds to support foster kids and families in Hawaii.
The price may seem steep, but the experience will be well worth it. Feast in the Fields will be held at Kualoa Ranch, and the agency will be providing bus transportation from various locations on Oahu. Or you can treat it as a weekend away, and stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Laie. That's what Wayne and I are doing.
Individual tickets are going for $175, and there are sponsorship packages available. The cause is worthy, Chef Aptakin, formerly in foster care himself, is donating his time. The food and the entertainment (Kimie Miner (!) singing, and a cattle herding demonstration!) will be first rate.
Please join us, we would love to have you there. And the foster keiki and families on Oahu will thank you. As will I.
For individual tickets, please go to http://bit.ly/2vlrozr.
If you are able to lend a sponsorship the event (comes with seats!), please go to http://bit.ly/2wKoMsL.
We all thank you in advance.
