A new nonprofit on the Island of Hawaii has the ambitious goal of creating future local community leaders through paid scholarships with local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, and is seeking recruits to fill those positions.
Lead For Hawaii is creating a network of young, local change makers ready to challenge the status quo, take action to solve challenges in our community, and help create a better future for all people on the Big Island, said the non-profit organization in a media release.
Lead For Hawaii is a Hawaii-based subsidiary of a national nonprofit, Lead For America, that works to recruit, train, and deploy new leaders. The nonprofit finds and supports local talent – dynamic and diverse people who help make their communities strong, vibrant, and compassionate while addressing pressing issues.
The Lead for Hawaii team includes Executive Director of Innovation Alexis Ching, a 2020 Lead For America Fellow with a degree in anthropology.
Emily Znamierowski is the Director of Community Engagement and Entrepreneurship with a background in corporate communications, finance, and technology. Both Ching and Znamierowski grew up in Kona and now work in the Hawaii County Department of Planning.
Coming from a career in mental health and a life of creativity, Dino Morrow is Director of Programs and Strategy, and comes from a career in mental health and creative imaging. Its role is to guide and support fellows as they guide their community into a future of empowerment and prosperity, and strengthen their identity and sense of place, through extensive mentoring and training.
“Our island communities face significant challenges, from COVID-19 and access to health care to human resource development, diversifying our economies, caring for our cultural and natural resources, and ensuring that every child receives an excellent education. The talent and leadership that this moment requires is born in every church on our island, ”Ching said. “Far too many young people in Hawaii, especially those growing up in our communities with the highest needs, have become a success story of leaving and never coming. And even for those who keep the condition of returning and serving, there are often few ways in which to do so. We also know that it doesn’t have to be like that. “
Lead For Hawaii is a two-year paid scholarship and is offered to only eight change makers. The first cohort is scheduled to begin training on July 26th and start work on August 16th.
The organization is looking for applicants for its start-up scholarship and interested parties can apply until June 18.
“Candidates may or may not have a college degree,” said Morrow. “Equity is our greatest thing. We do not want hosts or individuals to be eliminated because they were trained or not, but rather to be strong leaders in the community. Everyone has the opportunity without walls in front of them. “
Each fellow receives a $ 34,000 annual scholarship, provided through philanthropic donations or grants, and is placed with a host institution to participate in key initiatives such as land use and policy, sustainable agriculture, Kilauea restoration efforts for community capacity and resilience To work culture preservation and perpetuation, legislative process and indigenous, place-based conservation. This year’s host institutions are Hawaii County, The Kohala Center, Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, Kahua Pa’a Mua, and Shaka Tea.
“Lead For Hawaii is an opportunity for our county to attract highly skilled and skilled young professionals for temporary employment while we encourage them to grow, network and ultimately contribute to their practical work experience,” said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth . “These individuals undoubtedly bring a tenacity, strength, and willingness to learn that is unmatched by other recruitment programs we have used in the past, and we look forward to their continued contribution to our communities and the people of the Hawaii District.”
Each scholarship holder will take part in an experience-oriented learning and training structure. The experiences range from learning from cultural workers and kupuna to participating in workshops and specialized training with local guides to immersive excursions with defined goals. The idea is to bridge gaps, encourage new thinking and develop dynamic forms of collaboration in order to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Working with Hawaiian canoe carver and practitioner Alika Bumatay, the very first cohort of Lead For Hawaii Fellows will carve a canoe. “The Wa’a, or canoe, is as symbolic as it is functional and will serve as the ship for our cohort that guides us through community in service to one another,” said Ching. “The art of canoe carving not only strengthens the cultural-historical foundation of the scholarship holders, but also serves for healing and personal transformation. By the end of their two-year collaboration, the cohort will have forged strong bonds while completing their canoe and learning how to fulfill the unique roles and responsibilities associated with each canoe seat. “
After the end of the scholarship, each scholarship holder receives training in the areas of candidacy, setting up social projects, applying for scholarships and advising in public management positions.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the Lead For Hawaii website, lead4america.org/hawaii, and schedule a call with the team. To participate, make a donation, or get more information, contact Znamierowski at 896-7649 or email [email protected].
Learn more about the sites and projects at lead4america.org/placementsites.
