'Ohana mental health grant
Maui United Way announced the seven Maui nonprofits who are recipients of their new ʻOhana Mental Health Grant — an effort to meet the ongoing mental health needs in the aftermath of the wildfires.
Awardees included:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui: $100,000
- Imua Family Services: $100,000
- Maui Arts and Cultural Center: $100,000
- Maui Youth and Family Services: $100,000
- Nohona Health: $99,504
- Pacific Birth Collective: $100,000
- The Spirit Horse Ranch: $50,000
While the original plan was to award $500,000 in grants, Maui United Way’s Partnership Committee and Board of Directors were so impressed with the breadth and depth of the proposals, they increased the amount by nearly $150,000, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Grantees were selected by a group of Maui-based mental health professionals and community members.
Per Maui United Way, the grantees selected serve both those directly impacted by the fires as well as those indirectly impacted throughout the broader community; they also serve a diverse community from keiki to kūpuna, and special populations such as pregnant mothers. Together, the grantees offer a variety of approaches such as direct clinical services, prevention and intervention.
Organizations were granted a combined total of $649,504 with a year to perform their services from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
“The Maui fires have had a profound mental health impact on individuals, families, and communities, resulting in trauma, grief, loss, and psychological distress,” said Makana Rosete, community impact coordinator for Maui United Way. “The aftermath of disasters often leads to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. We know that many in our community were suffering long before the fires and have worked to respond in an impactful way to support our community.”