Kakaako Shelter Struggling In Weakening Economy
Shelter Has 150 Residents; Including Nearly 40 Children
POSTED: 8:30 am HST October 17, 2008
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HONOLULU -- Officials with the Next Step Shelter in Kakaako said donations are falling short as a result of the unpredictable economy. But thanks to the efforts of local medical students the shelter got a shot of generosity on Thursday. 
Video: Watch The StoryStudents from the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine administered free flu shots at the shelter, KITV reported."Because healthcare is a little harder for them to get it's just one of the more preventative ways we can help them out," said medical student Brent Tatsuno.Health officials said the number of flu cases typically begins to rise in October. The Next Step Shelter houses more than 150 residents and can be an invitation for unwelcomed diseases."It's good for us to get the flu shot because we live in a big open atmosphere. We can be treated for the flu without getting it," said shelter resident Denzie Thomas."This is our way to give back to the community and really be a part of the community. So even though we might be having hard economic times we all got to reach out," said Tatsuno.In addition to state funds and grants, the shelter said it relies on community support to get by. But in light of tough economic times donations are decreasing.Monetary donations have gone down a little bit recently, and that's probably, I would guess, due to the economy," said shelter representative Max Gray.Gray said the Next Step Shelter uses a portion of the money it received to buy items for their youngest residents. Nearly 40 children --several under the age of three -- live at the facility."Donations that we are in need of would include baby items such as pampers and baby wipes -- that's always low," said Gray."From the sheets to the pillow cases it's really a blessing to us -- for the ones that don't have," said Thomas.The shelter is planning a Halloween Carnival for the children residing there.Anyone who would like to make a donation to the shelter can drop off items at the John A. Burns School of Medicine Building in Kakaako.
Video: Watch The StoryStudents from the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine administered free flu shots at the shelter, KITV reported."Because healthcare is a little harder for them to get it's just one of the more preventative ways we can help them out," said medical student Brent Tatsuno.Health officials said the number of flu cases typically begins to rise in October. The Next Step Shelter houses more than 150 residents and can be an invitation for unwelcomed diseases."It's good for us to get the flu shot because we live in a big open atmosphere. We can be treated for the flu without getting it," said shelter resident Denzie Thomas."This is our way to give back to the community and really be a part of the community. So even though we might be having hard economic times we all got to reach out," said Tatsuno.In addition to state funds and grants, the shelter said it relies on community support to get by. But in light of tough economic times donations are decreasing.Monetary donations have gone down a little bit recently, and that's probably, I would guess, due to the economy," said shelter representative Max Gray.Gray said the Next Step Shelter uses a portion of the money it received to buy items for their youngest residents. Nearly 40 children --several under the age of three -- live at the facility."Donations that we are in need of would include baby items such as pampers and baby wipes -- that's always low," said Gray."From the sheets to the pillow cases it's really a blessing to us -- for the ones that don't have," said Thomas.The shelter is planning a Halloween Carnival for the children residing there.Anyone who would like to make a donation to the shelter can drop off items at the John A. Burns School of Medicine Building in Kakaako.Copyright 2009 by KITV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
