Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth Project

Area of Focus Youth
Website: www.keyproject.org

Churches, community residents, youth and social agencies created Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth Project (KEY Project) in 1968 to address youth problems of drug abuse and dropping out. Today, KEY Project is an important grassroots organization in Windward Oahu that provides a variety of human and education services to the local community. Its mission is to coordinate and enhance educational, recreational and stewardship opportunities for neighborhood families and their children in a safe environment. Most services are provided through partnership with other nonprofits such as the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Legal Aid Society and Waikīkī Health Clinic.

KEY Project opened an evening youth drop-in center four years ago. This Teen Center provides Windward Coast youth with a meal and a safe environment for homework and social activities.

KEY continues to develop its Employability Program, Teen to Work program and the Youth Asset Building Project. The Employability Program provides the Kuder assessment and training in resumes and interview skills. The Teen to Work program provides summer work experience at KEY. The asset building project encourages the youth to set up savings accounts and plan ahead for asset purchases selected by the youth.