ALAHOU CLEAN & SOBER HONORED
Received a
$30,000 Grant-in-Aid from State Legislature
Alahou Clean &
Sober, the only long-term housing facility on the Big Island for individuals
with a dual diagnosis of addiction combined with mental illness, was honored in
Kona for its work with at-risk individuals. The facility is unique in that half
of the Board of Directors is comprised of Alahou residents. There is also a
Residents Council made up of residents who monitor each other for suspected
drug or alcohol use. Alahou is an ohana of 60 family members where everyone
participates and supports each other.
"When Po'ailani pulled out they left 72 residents,
several who were severely mentally ill, who would have become homeless if we
had not stepped in." said Sandi McCoy, Executive Director of Alahou Clean
& Sober. "We were left with nothing as Po'ailani took all the toilet
paper, soap, cleaning supplies, everything so we literally rose from ashes just
like the phoenix which is our symbol. Alahou means New Beginning."
"Alahou performs a crucial function in the Kona
community providing a safe, sober and stable environment for some of our most
at-risk individuals," said Representative Nicole Lowen (Kailua-Kona,
Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau). "Sandi has done a terrific job at Alahou
which is more like one big ohana where everyone looks after each other."
"The grant-in-aid funds from both the State and the
County were necessary due to the loss of funds from an annual grant from
Shipper's Wharf and lower funding from United Way." said Vice Speaker John
Mizuno who, along with Rep. Lowen, presented Sandi McCoy with a certificate
recognizing her achievements. "It is so important to keep facilities like
Alahou open to help individuals who would have no other option than homelessness."
3 comments:
I worked in mental health in Florida for half a dozen years. It's disheartening to see that people in Hawaii and all over the world that need the most help, and that can benefit enormously, are given such horrible treatment.
What you've done is commendable! When I move back to the islands I'll be looking into volunteering in some capacity to help this population.
To whom it may concern:
alahou st.was s business that only cared.about.money and cleaning than helping people stay sober, she Sandi.is a crook..
It is all no longer in business she sandi mccoy jas left all the resident tonot get thier drposits back and many other unethical things happen here its a mess and i ant the public to help us thsnks
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