St. Anthony Church donated clothing, footwear, backpacks and other items to
Maui Economic Opportunity’s program that helps individuals transition back
into the community upon release from incarceration.
“Many of those released from jail or prison have only the clothes on their
backs; nothing else,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. “MEO’s Being Empowered
and Safe Together, or BEST program, assists these folks with life’s basic
essentials, to get them on their feet, and to give them the chance to
rebuild their lives as law-abiding citizens.”
St. Anthony Church donated clothing, footwear, flasks, backpacks and other
items of MEO’s BEST program.
Cabebe thanked St. Anthony for the generous donation made earlier this
month to assist BEST staff Uilani Ah Chan and Ron Cremer in their work.
“Having these items on hand helps the many who just stop by our office when
they have no family, no assistance, and nowhere to go to get something as
simple or small as slippers or a backpack with toiletries. It means
everything to them,” said Uilani.
In addition to offering clothes and other items, BEST connects clients to
available resources; helps get them into transitional housing and sober
living facilities; enrolls them in anger management, substance abuse and
cognitive skills restructuring programs; offers transportation to
appointments for ID restoration, job interviews and training; and provides
support and counseling.
BEST staff enter Maui Community Correctional Center and conduct classes to
assist with reintegration and begin the paperwork for restoration of ID and
other needs to get a head start on their release.
MEO’s BEST program, funded by the County of Maui, assists about 150
individuals annually.
Members of St. Anthony Church donated clothing and other items to Maui
Economic Opportunity’s Being Empowered and Safe Together or BEST program that supports recently released inmates. The donation earlier this month will support the program and those who often leave jail/prison with few
possessions. Shown are (from left front row) Ron Cremer, BEST specialist;
Bishop Pahia, former BEST specialist; Monsignor Terrance Watanabe; Pat Pahia; Uilani Ah Chan, BEST specialist; (back row) Wesley Ah Chan, Wesley Chiumai and Father Larry Dennis III.