I understand you are seeking more information about TRiO SSS and how the program has supported higher education for students, especially students like me who have been out of the education system for a while.
I graduated from Kailua High School in 1984. I never saw myself as college material. Probably because I didn't know how college worked, my parents were not college graduates. They too were Kailua High School graduates. I was raised at Waimanalo Homestead and still live there.
I started God's Country Waimanalo (GCW), a Native Hawaiian youth organization in 2005. After almost three solid years of programming and services to the youth and families in Waimanalo, specifically the Homestead, I was told that because I didn't have a college degree, my community partners from HUM felt that I wasn't capable of running GCW anymore. Looking back this sounds even more insane than at the time it was happening.
Suffice it to say I got mad, then I wanted to get even and prove my abilities. That was late 2008. In January 2009, I was given the opportunity to attend Windward Community College (WCC). I jumped in full force! Not Knowing what I was doing or where I was going, it was all about Just Do It!
TRiO helped me understand the system, supported me in a summer math program in 2009 and once I got involved, I kept going back for support in other areas, including getting a hula tutor, which as a Hawaiian woman who has no hula training was very helpful and important to me. Also Hawaiian language learning opportunities that made learning more doable for someone like me.
In 2011 I received my AA in Liberal Arts, as well as my Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Studies. In the fall of 2011, I entered UHM in pursuit of my bachelor's in Hawaiian Studies. This May i will be graduating and have been accepted in the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work for my master's degree beginning in the fall.
TRiO has been an integral part of my college education. They continue to support me and others in various ways. They have a great pipeline to UHM, especially for programs and services that are already in place. Also, many of us as graduates of WCC support those who transition from WCC to UHM. We help them learn the ropes and share insights to the in's and out's of UHM, making the transition a little easier and not as overwhelming, which it certainly can be coming from a smaller school and moving to the main campus.
I ask for your support of TRiO to help other students like me get an excellent educational experience.
Mahalo a Nui for your great work. Ke Akua Pu!
Aloha!
Ilima Ho-Lastimosa
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