New dormitory to provide stability for young women in tough situations to attend college

A 1950s-era dilapidated house in Keaʻau is transforming into a dormitory for female college students who are either homeless or transitioning out of foster care at 18 years old.

Project Hawaiʻi is behind the College Dormitory Program. The nonprofit purchased the property before the COVID pandemic began in 2020 and began the renovation demolition in 2021.

Despite obstacles with contractors and costly supplies, construction of the new dormitory’s first phase is nearing completion, with three shared bedrooms, a kitchen, a shared bathroom, a lounge area and an outdoor space to accommodate six college students. There is no cost to the students.

Daily transportation will be provided to and from Hawaiʻi Community College or the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Students also can take the public bus, which has a stop nearby.

“This program will give young women the stability they need to focus on their first years getting an education while learning the life skills needed to be productive members of society,” said Magin Patrick, co-founder of Project Hawaiʻi.

By the end of the upcoming school year, work on the second phase of the project will be completed to house a total of 12 students. Phase two, which adds to the existing dorm, will include two more bathrooms, three more shared bedrooms, another lounge area, and a student resource center to serve as an office or meeting space.

The property was purchased for $340,000, and the nonprofit expects to pay another $392,000 for the renovation for a total cost of $732,000. This includes a lot of volunteer labor.

“This dormitory can be the vessel through which 12 community leaders are created who go on to help others and leave social service dependency every two years,” Patrick said. “Providing an adolescent with a stable, safe environment is the foundation for their future success.”

The dormitory program is an extended version of Project Hawaiʻi’s teen mentorship program, which has “helped create driven women who were given a chance to become business owners and even homeowners,” Patrick said.

Students can reside in the dorms for two years while they attend a full college schedule to obtain their chosen degree. They must be freshmen or sophomores and under 21 years old to qualify for the program.

The dormitory advances Project Hawaiʻi’s mission of providing the guidance and support necessary to help homeless youth develop essential life skills, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and empower them to achieve lasting success.

While residing in the dormitory, students will be encouraged to enroll in the Bonner Program, which offers paid opportunities to develop as leaders and create a positive impact in their communities.

The students also will be required to participate in on-site life and social skills workshops, employment training and counseling.

Project Hawaiʻi offers year-round programs to help teens find their passion while building life skills and self-esteem. Volunteers meet regularly with teens to help them identify short- and long-term goals and assist them in carrying out those plans.

“Each teen has a different situation, so we want to be there for them every step of the way, even through college graduation,” Patrick said. “This project has been in the works since before COVID-19, and I am just ready to get the girls in there so they can make a difference in their lives long-term.

Project Hawaiʻi is fully supported by public donations from individuals, foundations and philanthropic gifts. The nonprofit is seeking four additional sponsors to help fund each student’s housing and living expenses for at least a year, estimated at $10,800 each.

Patrick said some people could not see her vision for the project when it started more than four years ago: “But I hope the community can see that they can be part of a homeless child going to college and that this can stop the cycle of poverty root and stem.”

Patrick also said that with the uncertainty of the economy and government funding, “we really need community support in any way. This is such an important cause and will impact education and housing options for youth living in dire circumstances. They deserve a chance, and this will benefit our island as a whole.”

The nonprofit also is seeking community partners that can once a month facilitate wellness and skills workshops, covering topics such as financial planning or cooking.

“It’s a great opportunity for those who may not be able to help monetarily but have time to contribute instead,” Patrick said.

Donated meals from businesses or community groups and food donations to help stock the pantry also would ease the program’s burdens.

Like a wedding registry, there are Amazon lists for bedroom, bathroom and kitchen items, spanning various price ranges, that can be purchased to help furnish the dormitory with necessities such as office chairs, baking sheets and bath towels.

After their two years in the dormitory, the students who wish to pursue a four-year degree can still receive support and maintain a relationship with Project Hawaiʻi.

The nonprofit is now accepting applications for the dormitory slots from students needing stable housing to attend college.

“We are looking for students who will not have a place to live as they start college, which includes many foster children,” Patrick said.

Eligible students can email projecthawaii@helpthehomelesskeiki.org to inquire about the program.

For monetary donations, visit https://givebutter.com/Dormitory. Volunteers interested in donating their skills for a workshop or those who can donate meals and food can email Project Hawaiʻi at projecthawaii@helpthehomelesskeiki.org.