Pacific Resource Partnership recently gifted 40 backpacks filled with school supplies to keiki staying at the Institute for Human Services. The supplies include pens, pencils, paper, USB drives and other items to prepare students staying at the organization’s Ka‘aahi Women’s & Family Shelter for the new school year.

This is the second year that PRP has gifted backpacks and supplies to children at IHS.

“No child should be at a disadvantage when it comes to preparing for a new school year, so we hope this gift of backpacks and school supplies will inspire the keiki at IHS to do their very best as they begin another year of learning,” said PRP Interim Executive Director Josh Magno in a press release. “The team at PRP always looks forward to providing this gift to the children at IHS, and we are happy to play a small part in their successful schooling.”

“These gifts empower [keiki] with the confidence to begin their school year knowing they have what they need, like any of their peers,” said IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. “It also reminds our children that they can aspire to whatever they can imagine, with a community of support around them, despite their current housing situation.”

PRP is a nonprofit entity representing the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters, Hawai‘i’s largest construction union.

Founded in 1978, IHS provides shelter and services for people in crisis. The agency currently operates two emergency shelters and several satellite programs to aid those in need of help. The Ka‘aahi Women’s & Family Shelter is able to provide shelter and services for up to 66 single women and 100 family members, including kūpuna and keiki.