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HOPE Services Hawaii Aids Houseless Impacted by Natural Disasters

September 9, 2024

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Let us pray for the Cry of the Earth. If we took the planet’s temperature, it would tell us that the Earth has a fever. And it is sick, just like anyone who’s sick. Are we listening to this pain?”
- Pope Francis Prayer Intention Video "The Cry of the Earth" for the Month of September 2024

Pope Francis’ monthly prayer intention for September 2024 calls us to recognize the critical connection between the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor.The Holy Father asks, "Do we hear the pain of the millions of victims of environmental catastrophes?" The Pope points out that as climate disasters such as floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires increase, it is the poor who often bear the brunt of the pain. The pontiff reminds all that responding to these connected cries requires action on multiple levels—ecological, social, economic, and political. His September Prayer encourages us to “commit ourselves to the fight against poverty and the protection of nature, changing our personal and community habits.”

Recently when Hurricane Hone threatened to impact Hawaii, more than two dozen staff members of HOPE Services Hawaii sprang into action. In groups of two or three, they set out to help houseless residents as 18 inches of rain fell in some areas of East Hawai‘i, flooding roads in the Ka‘ū District and the Bayfront area in Hilo. These “off-duty” HOPE staff continued their efforts throughout the weekend. “Some of our colleagues signed up to come straight off a 12-hour shelter shift, to do another four-hour shift out in the community,” said HOPE Services Hawai’i CEO Brandee Menino, expressing her sincere appreciation for the compassion and determination of many to ensure vulnerable people were safe. In total, the HOPE Services Hawai’i outreach teams helped more than a dozen people in Hilo, including a 74-year-old Kupuna who was struggling to survive on a muddy cliff, secure temporary shelter and later permanent housing. According to HOPE Services Hawai’i staff, about 30 other people chose to stay outside and were offered supplies and directions, in case they changed their minds. “We know not everyone will choose to go to the shelter, and we want to respect that choice, and still care for them the best we can,” said Carrie Hoʻopiʻi, one of HOPE’s outreach team leaders. “We were getting tarps, food, water, flashlights, ponchos, bandages, towels, dog food–anything to help them ride out the storm in safety, and hopefully make it a little more comfortable. We were handing out supplies and talking story, and we made connections and assisted them if they chose to get into a shelter.”

From hurricanes Iselle to Hone, HOPE Services Hawaii, which is affiliated with the Diocese of Honolulu, has long been listening and responding to the cry of the poor as they are impacted by natural disasters and human struggles on Big Island. It does so daily by inspiring hope and making a positive difference with houseless persons through outreach and street medicine teams, as well as developing transitional shelter, and permanent affordable housing throughout the Big Island. Currently HOPE Services Hawai’i is working with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on the Hamakua Coast to develop needed single occupancy rental units as well as case management and healthcare supportive services in Honoka’a’ (just as HOPE Services Hawai’i collaborated successfully with Sacred Hearts Parish in Pahoa to provide transitional and permanent housing to formerly houseless persons in the wake of the Puna lava flows).

To learn more about HOPE Services Hawai‘i and how anyone can support their work, please visit their website www.hopeserviceshawaii.org  For the full 2 minute video of Pope Francis Cry of the Earth Prayer Intention for September 2024, please see the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network www.popesprayer.va This month’s papal prayer ends with the following hopeful, inspiring words of Pope Francis. “Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit.” Mahalo