Neighborhood Development & Community Outreach Program

The Neighborhood Development & Community Outreach Program (NDCOP), one of Palama Settlement’s core programs, provides a large array of support to low-income and immigrant populations living in the housing projects of Mayor Wright, Ka‘ahumanu, kamehameha, Pu‘uhala, and Kalihi Valley Homes and to low-income residents living in the neighborhoods surrounding Palama Settlement. Many of those we help are part of the new immigrant wave from Micronesia including children, families, and a large segment of homebound elderly.

In the five housing projects alone, there are over 1,000 households served on an annual basis.

Program staff assist residents in many areas including:

• Meeting basic needs including food, clothing, household supplies and goods
• Navigation of various government and agency systems including housing, welfare, healthcare and health insurance, education, the judiciary and juvenile justice
• Development and implementation of community and individual empowerment initiatives, such as employment, financial literacy, community safety and more
• Cultural education
• Enrichment activities
• Gender-specific programming especially for young women facing challenges unique to being girls in an at-risk community.

Specific activities within NDCOP include, but are not limited to:

• Hawaii Foodbank Ohana Distribution
• Food Pantry
• Government Agency and “System” Assistance
• Financial Literacy Classes
• Youth Mentoring
• Family and Community Outreach and Support Programs