Some of the most helpful nonprofits for seniors are small operations that cannot afford to advertise. We will be helping them by getting their message to you. Read below to learn how the volunteers and coordinators in these noteworthy organizations may help you and your family.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTER OF HAWAI‘I
Special Education Center of Hawai‘i (SECOH) is a nonprofit organization in the State of Hawai‘i. SECOH’s mission is to provide personalized services to people with disabilities.
SECOH offers adult day care for seniors with disabilities due to aging, with a specialty in supporting those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This service is available Monday through Friday and some weekends only at its Diamond Head location. Seniors can participate in a number of recreational and therapeutic activities, such as arts and crafts, swimming, cooking and off-site activities, as well. They also offer family counseling, referrals and resources.
Crystal Hoapili, the adult day care coordinator, said that this year marks the 50th-anniversary celebration for SECOH, which was founded in 1965 by Sister Agnes Jerome Murphy. The organization’s vision is to see that “people are valued and treated with dignity and respect.”
The Hawai‘i Community Foundation provided a Persons-in-Need Grant for Senior Day Care to SECOH from the May Templeton Hopper fund. This grant is for tuition assistance to attend its adult day care program. To qualify, individuals must be 65 or over, demonstrate financial need and show that they will benefit from SECOH’s care. Crystal urges people to call to see if funding is available to assist them.
If you would like a tour or to learn about services, please call ahead at the Diamond Head location and talk to Crystal.
DIAMOND HEAD FOUNDER’S CENTER
708 Palekaua St., Honolulu, HI 96816
Crystal Hoapili, Adult Day Care Coordinator
808-734-0234 | choapili@secoh.org
www.secoh.org
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAI‘I: FREE LEGAL HELP FOR SENIORS
Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (LASH) is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing justice and fairness to the people of Hawai‘i through representation, advocacy, community partnerships, education and outreach. Established in 1950, LASH has 10 offices statewide with over 100 staff members. They provide services to over 20,000 individuals each year.
Seniors who are 60 and older receive free legal services, regardless of their income and assets. LASH primarily focuses on family, consumer, housing and public benefits law. Clients may have consumer issues, such as bankruptcy or debt collections; housing issues, such as Section 8 or repairs; or public benefits issues with agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Aid to Aged, Blind, Disabled (AABD).
LASH offers counseling and advice, one-on-one consultations, assistance in understanding the legal process, and limited or full representation of clients in court and administrative hearings.
To find out if LASH can assist you, call its dedicated senior hotline or visit the LawHelp Hawai‘i website, a cooperative project of LASH and Legal Service Corp.
A special event will be held on Kaua‘i:
Elder Law Fair on Kaua‘i
Friday, Sept. 30, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy St., Lihue
RSVP by Sept. 27: call 808-245-4728, ext. 2210
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAI‘I
Senior hotline:
808-536-0011 (Oahu) | 888-536-0011 (neighbor islands)
www.Lawhelp.org/hi
