For five years, OhanaHC has made a difference for youth and the Howard County community. With 8,000+ volunteer hours donated every year, we’re able to empower Howard County students to overcome barriers and achieve self-defined success. Our dual mission also puts community front and center, as we help individuals (mentors, mentees, and volunteers) develop relationships with people who are outside of their usual social circles.
Why OhanaHC?
At OhanaHC, we value relationships and recognize that in order to better the outcomes for our students and the community, we must come together and show up for others. Supporting OhanaHC’s mission means you understand the value and work required to successfully empower students on their journey to self-defined success while strengthening community through diverse connections, intentional partnerships, and long-term mentorship. Help us reach our goal of building a culturally affirming and equitable community that everyone can thrive in.
We know change takes time, and so does building trust and relationships. That’s why we start mentoring students from their freshman year in high school through their journey into the future within the span of 10 years. Your donation will allow OhanaHC to do more with our resources and provide opportunities to help students achieve success.
How it Works
OhanaHC provides mentorship, starting with 9th graders, and commits to staying by their side for ten years. Each mentee is surrounded by three mentors, creating an Ohana. The mentors work together to connect with the mentee and be the best support that they can be.
We believe in partnership and not re-inventing the wheel. We share many special events and activities that are already happening in the community for our mentors and mentees to attend together. Through our partnerships, we offer and promote a variety of programs and learning opportunities for our mentors, mentees and their families, and the greater community.
By supporting what others already do and by joining diverse spaces together, we are able to strengthen our sense of community, connect with like-minded people, expand our horizons, and get closer to achieving our mission, all while supporting others along the way.
Our Impact
Our community of volunteers make a difference for youth.
- 95% of mentees felt respected and supported by their mentors
- 94% of parents and guardians reported a positive change in their child’s behavior, confidence, or school engagement since joining OhanaHC.
- 80% of mentees set at least one personal, academic, or life goal and made meaningful progress or achieved it.
Learn more about our impact in our Annual Report.
Support OhanaHC
When you donate to OhanaHC, you are helping the organization fulfill its mission to strengthen community connections of diverse groups of people through mentorship, partnerships, and events. Your donations allow us to do the work we do in a way that embodies our core values, providing the best experience possible for all our mentees. All donations contribute to:
- Activities and event costs
- Funding job opportunities for additional employees and internships to support OhanaHC
- Covering costs to improve mentorship training
- Purchases that help improve the organization’s operations