KEAAU, Hawaii (KHON2) -- Homelessness continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing Hawai‘i's youth, often impacting everything from education and mental health to future employment and long-term stability. For 23 years, Project Hawai‘i Inc. has been working tirelessly to break that cycle for homeless and at-risk youth across the islands. Kindergarten students receive donation of 24 bicycles “Project Hawai‘i is a nonprofit organization solely dependent on public donation and volunteers and community support,” said Cliff Kama, one of the organization's co-directors. At the heart of Project Hawai‘i's mission is its Teen Mentoring Program, a life-changing initiative that began 18 years ago and is now entering a new phase. Originally started as part of their summer curriculum, the program provided girls with hands-on mentoring, development workshops and critical life skills. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You “It just started out being part of the curriculum during summer where the girls would be mentored to learn the life skills that they need,” said Magin Patrick, founder and executive director of Project Hawai‘i Inc. “Then what happened was these girls are now succeeding, graduating high school and wanting to go to college—and they're homeless. They have no place to go.” That challenge sparked the nonprofit’s most ambitious expansion yet: a dedicated dormitory for homeless teen girls. “Our dormitory is being built on the Big Island in Kea‘au. It's approximately 5.6 miles from the university,” Patrick said. “We were actually donated a van, so we do have transportation set up for the girls. Most of our funding comes from smaller family foundations that see their funding going further. So it’s kind of like the small guys helping the small guys.” Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Kama reflected on the long-term impact they’ve seen over the years, noting how the support provided at a young age has transformed lives. “We had quite a few kids with us—they were from 3-years-old—and some of them graduated,” he shared. “One of the girls we helped get into COVID Middle School just graduated and is in a nursing program on the mainland—really hard school to get into. She might be coming back, and she has a place to stay now at the dormitory.” “Sometimes I wonder, why do I do this? Sometimes you want to just hit your head against the wall, like, why am I doing this? And then they graduate, they don’t have babies, they quit that cycle and go on to have real careers, not just working, but an actual career. That’s the reward in it all—seeing them succeed,” Patrick added. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here Though the dormitory is located on Hawai‘i Island, Project Hawai‘i Inc. serves youth on O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, and will accept girls from all islands into the dormitory program. With their grassroots model, support from the community is vital. From school-led service projects to roadside fundraising events, every effort makes a difference. To support their mission or get involved, visit helpthehomelesskeiki.org or find them on social media at @ProjectHawaiiInc. ...read more read less