Employees from ‘Ohana Health Plan’ painted and decorated teen’s room
Education for minorities is a kind of dream their children sleep with. Lack of necessities makes children struggle for food first, keeping the education always a dream. WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (“WellCare”) has taken steps to deal with this crisis by announcing the WellCare Community Foundation donation of $10,000 to support the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island (B&GC) in Hilo, Hawaii. Not only this, Big Island employees from ‘Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare company based in Hawaii, volunteered to help paint and decorate the organization’s teen room for back-to-school.
Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island serves approximately 1,000 children, ages 6-17, through an after school enrichment program. Approximately 96% of those children come from underserved minority populations, including Native Hawaiian (58%) and Filipino (9%). One-in-three enrolled children, come from poverty, with 21% of families having a total annual income of $10,000 or less. Additionally, many students are not meeting math, literacy or science standards.
Donation collecting scattered needs
The Hilo program currently serves about 400 children, all of whom receive homework support; enrichment and wellness programming; recreational physical activity; out-of-school education classes; and a daily nutritional supplement and meal programs.
WellCare’s $10,000 donation will support 250 children in the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island’s after school program and will help cover the cost of needed supplies, including books and athletic equipment, as well as room enhancements for the organization’s teen room and computer center located at the Hilo Clubhouse.
In conjunction with the start of the school year, Ohana Health Plan associates in Hilo will volunteer approximately 100 hours to help decorate the organization’s teen room, including painting and purchasing new materials and equipment for Boys & Girls Club programming.
Mission to create ideal education
“At WellCare, our mission is to help our members live better, healthier lives. We do this by making connections to critical programs and social services that promote better health outcomes both for our members and the communities we serve.” Rhonda Mims, WellCare’s executive vice president, chief public affairs officer, and president of the WellCare Community Foundation.
Since 2008, ‘Ohana Health Plan has served Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries throughout Hawaii through its offices in Hilo, Kahului, Kapolei, and Honolulu.
