ALU LIKE, Inc.
Hawaii. August, 2008.
For 30 years, Native Hawaiians have turned to ALU LIKE, Inc. to help them achieve financial and social stability. Incorporated in 1975, ALU LIKE is a nonprofit organization that serves Native Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian individuals, households and families in need of multiple types of financial and social assistance.
ALU LIKE offers assistance through a range of services, including vocational assistance, employment and training, early childhood education, elderly services, library/literacy services, substance abuse/high-risk reduction services, and asset building services. Through the organization's information and referral network, clients can be referred to any of ALU LIKE’s services throughout the state, as well as to other agencies that may offer additional services.
Multi-Services Program
With 11 full-time staff members across the state, ALU LIKE’s Multi-Services Program provides information and referral, emergency financial assistance, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), financial education, and free tax preparation through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Such asset building programs allow residents to work towards self-sufficiency, which is especially critical today. While energy and housing costs are increasing nationwide, there is an even greater crisis in Hawaii, where everything must be shipped across the ocean long distances. With the rising cost of fuel, the cost of goods and services in Hawaii is increasing exponentially, and wages are not keeping up with the higher cost of living. Housing is also extremely expensive in Hawaii. With the median price for homes ranging from $500,000 to $700,000, many local working families are unable to afford.
ALU LIKE is well-known and trusted by the native community throughout Hawaii. Most clients are referred by friends or family members who have heard of ALU LIKE or are former clients themselves. Some clients also find ALU LIKE through referrals from partner agencies across the state. Offering projects and services that are culturally sensitive and appropriate for the native community helps to increase ALU LIKE's success rate and, therefore, the success of many Native Hawaiians across the islands.
