July 22, 2013
Pa’a Ke Kuleana
Pa’a ka Noho ‘ana
Honolulu, HI — Today, State Senator Suzanne Chun, Oakland Representative Karl Rhoads, and other dignitaries will join EAH Housing in celebrating the organization’s Commitment to Community event at Kukui Gardens. At the celebration EAH Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer and property manager, will award the EAH Housing Scholarship to select students and also announce Kalihi-Palama Health Center (KPHC) will open a new satellite center at Kukui Gardens. The on-site center will exclusively provide general health care services to Kukui Garden residents.
“EAH Housing believes in enriching the lives of our residents by building more than just walls and windows,” said Mary Murtagh, EAH Housing President and CEO. “By awarding the Scholarship, we’re granting talented students from the properties we own and/or manage access to funds that will lessen the burden of tuition and help them build a better future. And in partnering with KPHC, Kukui Garden residents are gaining access to primary health care services from a well-respected team of caring and qualified professionals that is only steps away from where they live.”
“Kukui Gardens is providing Kalihi-Palama Health Center a unique opportunity to tailor health care services to address the specific needs of residents of Kukui Gardens,” said Emmanuel Kintu, KPHC Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. “We are designing tools that will help determine what services best meet the needs of this community. This is an exciting beginning to what will be a rewarding partnership between KHPC and EAH Housing for the benefit of the community we serve.”
Kalihi-Palama Health Center is an independent nonprofit organization serving more than 21,000 patients annually. Established in 1975, KPHC offers comprehensive primary health care and social services to all members of the community regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
EAH Housing scholarship recipients will be honored for their commitment to higher education with joint certificates of commendation from Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland and Representative Karl Rhoads.
“These EAH Housing Scholarship students come from different neighborhoods and different families, but their goals are not so different. They are both dedicated students, crave knowledge and aspire to do great things for their community and themselves,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland.
“I’m pleased to join EAH Housing in celebrating these students who have chosen to serve as an admirable example for others. As a community we need to continue to encourage our children to reach out for new experiences, to improve, to excel and to dream as big as possible,” said Representative Karl Rhoads.
For the 2013 to 2014 academic year, ten students were selected to receive financial aid from the EAH Housing Scholarship Fund. A total of $25,000 will be awarded to students pursuing a college degree or education at a trade school with majors ranging from Economics to Software Engineering.
“This scholarship will help pay for my college tuition, making life a little easier,” said Kayla Steverson, studying to be a nurse at Windward Community College. “I’m a mother of two and I am always working towards a bigger and better future for my kids as well as myself. I take school very seriously and with the strong mindset I have, I will make it far.”
“My parents never had the chance to attend college so for me going to college is truly a blessing,” said Grace Lu, Business Major at San Francisco State University. “With this scholarship, I have a greater chance of pursuing the career that I want. I’m really thankful.”
The EAH Housing Scholarship Fund was created through generous contributions from late affordable housing advocate Rebecca Wood Watkin, EAH Housing Board of Directors, numerous EAH staff and individual donors.
—
About EAH Housing
Established in 1968, EAH Housing is one of the oldest and most respected nonprofit developers and managers in the western United States. EAH has developed over 7,268 homes and manages 101 properties serving working families, students and seniors in 50 municipalities throughout California and Hawaii.
For more information visit www.eahhousing.org.
