Press Release

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2019

Palama Settlement Launches Expanded Technology Program for At-Risk Teens: $50,000 Grant from The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Fuels Coding & Graphic Design in Kalihi

HONOLULU, Hawaii – On Saturday, July 27, The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation presented a check in the amount of $50,000 to Palama Settlement to support coding and digital media classes for its In-Community Treatment Program and Community Based School (ICTP/CBS). The Ching Foundation Executive Director Tertia Freas and The Ching Foundation Trustees Bob Fujioka and Cathy Ching made the presentation at Palama’s end of summer STEAM education exhibition celebration, which was attended by Palama keiki and their families.  This summer the students participated in coding and robotics classes which were led by the instructors from Twiddle Productions. This event was their opportunity to share the games and robotic boats that they created throughout the course of the class.


Representatives from The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation present Palama
Settlement with a $50,000 check for its ICTP/CBS technology program.**
Back row, from left to right: Ching Foundation Trustee Cathy Ching, Ching
Foundation Executive Director Tertia Freas, Ching Foundation Trustee
Bob Fujioka, and Palama Settlement Board of Trustees President John Taira.

For additional photos, click here.**

**Check presentation took place during the 2019 end of summer STEAM education exhibit which featured keiki coding and robotics participants (pictured). ICTP/CBS youth are not pictured, due to the confidentiality.


Thanks to the generosity of The Ching Foundation grant, Palama Settlement will continue its partnership with Twiddle Productions to launch an expanded technology training program for ICTP/CBS students. “Our Foundation continues to support programs that improves the lives of children in our state, especially for those that come from families that are financially challenged,” says Tertia Freas, Executive Director of The Ching Foundation. “The education in technology will enable these children to develop their talents and realize their capabilities in the future.”

Students will create their own websites and edit videos using Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Scratch. The goal of this course is to allow students the opportunity to learn some of the marketable skills required for a successful entry into the job market. The grant funds will be used for personnel costs and supplies for the program.

“The coding and graphic design course for ICTP/CBS is part of a series of new program offerings at Palama Settlement,” says Earl Fusato, Executive Director of Palama Settlement. “We are striving to focus on technology and arts activities like those that have either been discontinued or are not available in our public schools. We are grateful to The Ching Foundation for recognizing the importance of STEAM education and skill building for our teens. Without this funding, this program would limit the opportunity we can offer to our students.”

About In-Community Treatment Program and Community Based School

The students enrolled in the In-Community Treatment Program (ICTP) and Community Based School (CBS) are at-risk youth who have demonstrated difficulties in the traditional school setting due to various reasons ranging from chronic truancy, and behavioral issues, as well as social and family dysfunction. . Since 1970 ICTP has been accepting adjudicated youth referred by Family Court and 2018, CBS began accepting students who display at-risk behaviors, but are not adjudicated.  The goal of  is to improve school performance and attendance, eliminate law violating behaviors and develop socially acceptable skills and attitudes through a low student-to- staff ratio to reengage and motivate, the students desire to learn and reach their goals.

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About Palama Settlement

Established in 1896, Palama Settlement is a non-profit, community-based social service agency serving the Kalihi and Palama neighborhoods. We offer a wide range of educational, recreational, athletic, cultural, social, health, and community building programs and services for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens.

Website: www.palamasettlement.org  |  Facebook: @malamapalama  |  Instagram: @palamasettlement

Media Contact

Leah Lee
Donor Relations & Marketing Coordinator
p. (808) 848-2532 |  e. llee@palamasettlement.org

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