Supporting Native Hawaiian-serving organizations to build their organizational capacity and achieve self-determination
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HAWAIIAN IMMERSION EDUCATION
Passionate for increasing early learning literacy, particularly in Ōlelo Hawai’i or Hawaiian language
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PLACE-BASED LEARNING
Informed by the belief that grounding learning in place is the surest way to ascribe enduring relevance, we support programs in integrating pedagogy of place to deepen efficacy in their programs and frameworks
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SERVICE-LEARNING
Partnering with organizations who promote the development of personal relationship to the natural world in order to foster an outlook of stewardship and Malama ‘aina kuleana
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NATIVE HAWAIIAN POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT
Commitment to supporting Native Hawaiian students in their endeavor to find rich and rewarding career pathways that add relevance to curriculum and seek to reverse structural racism while implementing a social justice agenda
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS
Focused on improving the preparation and sustaining of the professional development capacity of organizations, especially in the early childhood workforce
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TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
Dedicated to projects aiming to foster environmental well-being by building resilient communities and maintaining sustainable systems
TESTIMONIALS
Pualani Kahoʻohanohano, Operations Manager ʻAha Pūnana Leo
Hele no ka ʻalā, hele no ka lima. To make good poi, the free hand must work in unison with the poi pounder. Summer has been that guiding hand for us since 2013 as she has played an integral part in helping us strengthen areas of our program.
Her ʻike has added to our kahua of ensuring that the mouths of our limahana, keiki and ʻohana are being fed the highest quality of poi to sustain our growing force of language speakers throughout the state.
E ola mau ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language shall live. We look forward to furthering our mission with Summerʻs kōkua.
William "Pila" Wilson, Professor of Hawaiian language, Hawaiian studies, and linguistics at Ka Haka ‘Ula O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Summer Helms has been a great partner in strategic planning for our P-20 Hawaiian immersion education pathway, the first of its kind. She is an expert in Indigenous education development and advancement.
Michael H. Pecsok, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Retired) Leeward Community College
I served as PI for many grants that totaled tens of millions of dollars and were complex and long-term.
Summer never missed a deadline and played a major role in the success of these grants. She has considerable experience in and knowledge of federal grants particularly those involving community colleges, STEM, and special populations. She was always our first choice to assist us in the writing and management of grants. Summer has my highest recommendation.
Rachel Solemsaas, Ed.D, Chancellor, Hawai’i Community College
We are very grateful to have Summer Helms as part of our Title 3 proposal team. Her experience, expertise and effectiveness as a grants proposal developer successfully led to 100% awards to Hawai’i CC. We are truly blessed, awarded or not, for the learning opportunity she has provided us as we developed these proposals.