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Core Four Business Planning Classes
Learn how to write a business plan and how to start, operate and grow your business. Introductory classes will be held on March 6 & 8 from 6-7 pm. at MEO Family Center or March 7 from 1-2 pm at Maui County Business Resource Center at Maui Mall. The classes are free and open to the public. The six-week (36 hour) course begins on Tuesday, March 13, and continues from 6-9 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays thru April 24th. The classes will be held at MEO's Family Center at 99 Mahalani Street in Wailuku, and registration is required. Funding from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Administration for Native Americans helps to makes the Core Four Business Planning Classes possible. Call 249-2990 for more information.
Building a Healthier Community ...
click to download flyerTown Hall Meetings have been an important part of many successful community efforts Nationwide. Underage drinking is a significant public health concern that affects our youth, communities, and Nation. This year, hundreds of organizations across the Nation will be hosting Town Hall Meetings to mobilize communities around underage drinking prevention. Please be a part of the solution and join us at any of the following Town Hall meetings. Refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Donna or Martha at 249-2990. (Download flyer)

Join Us:
February 29, 2012 (6:00 pm—8:00 pm)
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., Classroom 1 & 2

March 7, 2012 (6:00 pm—8:00 pm)
Kihei Charter High School Cafeteria

March 28, 2012 (6:00 pm—8:00 pm)
King Kekaulike High School Cafeteria
Alcohol Free Parks Proclamation
On February 13, 2012 at 3:30 PM Mayor Alan Arakawa signed into law the ban of alcohol consumption at Kalama and Cove Parks in Kihei. MEO Youth Services Staff and their youth accompanied community members, County employees and other youth groups to represent appreciation for this new law.

This action was made possible through combined efforts of Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA), and passionate community members who brought their concerns and objectives to the attention of the County Council.

Underage Drinking Prevention Program - Town Hall Meeting
Underage Drinking Prevention (UDP) Program youth presented their idea for a Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) mini grant during the February 8, 2012 Town Hall meeting held at MEO Family Center in Wailuku. These youth are part of the UDP Programs Youth Action Committee. They confidently stood and spoke to community members, telling them their vision for spreading awareness about the Be A Jerk campaign. Their project aims at reaching multiple facets of the community ranging from schools, to law enforcement, to families.

If awarded funding for their project, the Youth Action Committee plans to implement their activities during the month of April, coinciding with the launch of the Be A Jerk Campaign and Alcohol Awareness Month. There are multiple grants available to youth groups throughout Maui County. All grantees will coordinate efforts to bombard Maui County with Be A Jerk activities during April to get the word out … it’s OK to Be A Jerk.
AmeriCorps Summer Positions
Recruitment Poster - click to download PDFAmeriCorps is a Nationwide program serving local communities where there is a need. The Maui Economic Opportunity AmeriCorps Environmental program partners with conservation agencies County wide to provide assistance in working for the greater good of the Island’s environment. Summer Positions are now available for applying. Positions are available on Maui, Moloka`i, and Lana`i for the months of June-August.

Applicants must submit completed application, resume and letter of recommendation:  MEO AmeriCorps Environmental Program, 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, Hawaii 9679.  Phone: 808-243-4343, Fax: 808-249-2991, Contact: Martha Guzman.  Deadline for submission is February 24, 2012. Download:  Application Form or Recruitment Flyer
 Benefactor and Volunteers of the Year
Gailene Wong with Lyn McNeff and Scott SakakiharaKevin Yoshida, Stephen Groff with Lyn McNeffMEO recognized its Benefactor and Volunteer of the Year at a luncheon celebration held at the MEO Family Center in Wailuku on February 14, 2012. Gailene Wong  accepted the Benefactor of the Year award on behalf of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.  The Foundation contributed 1 million 25 thousand dollars to help with the completion of MEO’s Vineyard Street facility.  The building is officially called the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residential Training Center.  MEO currently leases office space to The Legal Aid Society and the residential units to Aloha House.  MEO is looking for an entrepreneur to operate the commercial kitchen and provide on the job training for low income and hard to serve clients.

The Volunteer of the Year was awarded to two individuals, a first for MEO.  Stephen Groff has volunteered numerous hours assisting with maintenance and repair work to various MEO facilities, saving the agency thousands of dollars.  Kevin Yoshida volunteers his time assisting the MEO Business Development Center as the Chair of the board committee.   Kevin shares his financial expertise with staff supporting program initiatives in business planning and development and micro lending.  Mahalo to Stephen and Kevin and all of the 600 plus MEO volunteers; we couldn’t do it without you.
Commercial Kitchen and Retail Space Available
Vineyard Street, Wailuku:  The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residential Training Center has a 1,060 square foot licensed commercial kitchen for lease. The kitchen comes with refrigerator, walk in freezer, gas stove, mixer, convection oven, deep fryer and commercial dishwasher. In addition to the kitchen, there is a 1,840 square foot retail space that can be used as a dining area or for retail sales.

Interested operators must be willing to provide training for two MEO clients (trainees) in each twelve month period of the lease. Operators must expose the trainees to all aspects of the operation and must pay minimum wage during the training period. The Operator may be eligible for wage reimbursements of 50% of the trainee’s wages through a Federal On the Job Training (OJT) funding assistance program for a three month period. Should the operator choose to hire the trainee after the training period; the operator agrees to pay the employee a comparable industry wage.

Lease rates, Kitchen and Retail Area: $3,800 plus utilities. Interested operators are invited to contact MEO Chief Programs Officer, Debbie Cabebe @243-4342.
Head Start 2012-2013 School Year Applications
click to download Maui flyer PDFMEO Head Start is accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Click below for more information:
Maui
Maui (Spanish)
Lanai
Molokai
Recent Donors
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. is the recent recipient of generous donations from the following organizations:
  • Affordable Furniture & Design
  • Atlas Foundation
  • Boeing
  • Golf Fore Gals Maui
  • Hafer Family Foundation
  • Maui Soda & Ice Works
  • St. Anthony Church
  • Windermere Foundation
MEO and its employees and clients are very grateful for the communities support.   Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so online at DONATE, or by mailing a check to PO Box 2122 Kahului, HI 96733.
ASK | Prevent Suicide - Free iOS App
Texas State & Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention project is proud to announce a small iPhone App for suicide prevention which is freely distributable everywhere. To download this app on an iPhone, iPad or iTunes, search for "suicide prevention" and look for "ASK."

This app was developed from a non-proprietary suicide prevention training program called ASK (ASK about suicide / Seek more information / Know where to refer) which was developed by Mental Health America of Texas. The suicide prevention app is supported by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act.

The app features the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-8255, warning signs, how to ask the question about suicide to save a life, and a list of Texas' Local Mental Health Authorities (community mhmr centers). There are tabs specifically devoted to people who might be interested in “LGBTQ” information and a tab for “Veterans”.

We urge you to take a moment and download this app, because when you or your friends are in crisis, a shortcut to the right help can make a huge difference in its outcome. Learn easy steps to help prevent suicide in your community right now. Click the link above to open iTunes and download, or search "suicide prevention" in the App Store on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
We’re helping people, changing lives. You definitely can, too!
MEO’s services are constantly changing to meet the needs of children and families, the medically needy, the elderly and other low-income individuals. All MEO programs are tangible translations of the Promise of Community Action:

There are always at least a few MEO programs in need of volunteers, cash donations or inkind gifts. You can help. MEO does what poverty demands, and you are welcome to join us in whatever way you can. Call us at 249-2990. or Make a Donation on-line		  
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.