R.E.A.C.H Out to Raise Funding for Middle School After-School Programs

Honolulu, HI – The Honolulu Professionals Foundation (HPF) is coordinating a fundraiser for Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui’s R.E.A.C.H. initiative on Sunday, June 30, 2013, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Pagoda Restaurant.  The event includes outstanding musical acts Hoʻaikane, Anuhea, Weldon Kekauoha, Micah G, MânoaDNA, Jon Yamasato, Funkshun, RKSB, and Kama Kakaio. The nearly 2,000-person event will feature a variety of food and alcohol vendors.

R.E.A.C.H.’s (Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health) mission is to keep middle school students on the right path to graduation by engaging them in a broad base of programs and activities outside of regular instructional hours.  R.E.A.C.H., an after-school program, will include areas of academic enrichment, arts and culture, and athletics. Through these programs, students will be better prepared for high school, college, the workforce, and beyond.

“Middle and Intermediate school students have been left out of organized after-school programs for a long time.  R.E.A.C.H. has been created to fill that void by enriching our children’s lives in a supervised safe, educational and fun environment.  I hope everyone comes to support this worthy program,” said Lt. Governor Tsutsui.

The State has long focused on providing after-school programs to elementary and high school students, but programs for middle/intermediate school students have been sporadic and decentralized.  Studies have shown that effective after-school programs provide not only an educational benefit to students, but also a social value to the community by reducing juvenile crime.

“Our organization believes in the mission of R.E.A.C.H. and its intent to engage students in activities that will keep them on track to a successful future.  We wanted to support an initiative that is aimed at shaping the lives of Hawaii’s children in a positive environment,” said HPF President Ross Shinyama.

Tickets are $75 prior to June 20 ($90 after).  Go to REACHOUTHAWAII.org for more information.