Service-Learning | No Mo' Haus' Project: Next Step

Next Step Homeless Shelter

About the Shelter

The Next Step shelter is a large warehouse that accommodates up to 200 people, about one-third of whom are usually children. There are separate sections for families, couples, and singles. It opens at 5:30 pm in the evening and closes at 8 am in the morning every weekday, and is open 24 hours on weekends. Although the 20-hour tutoring program is limited to the schedule below, other research/interview/special projects may be done during open hours with approval.

Who: Many of the people using the shelter are recent immigrants, mostly from Micronesian nations

Where: The shelter is located on Forrest Avenue, near Kaka’ako Beach Park and adjacent to the UH Medical School.

See Google Map's instructions here.

Directions to Next Step:

The instructions below will get you to the entrance to the Reuse/Next Step Warehouse. Drive into the left fenced area (opposite of the US Customs secured gated area). The entrance is marked by a sign that reads “Next Step” on the fence. Park alongside the warehouse (there will be other cars). Buses on Ala Moana Boulevard (several lines from Ala Moana) will take you to the South Street corner.

Report to the front desk and sign in. The tutoring activities usually take place at the tables at the Diamond Head side of the shelter, near the children’s section. This area is next to the administrative offices in the trailer, inside the warehouse.
Training is required before participation (see below, for sign-up instructions).

Key

Makai = toward the ocean, Mauka = toward the mountains
Diamond Head = toward Diamond Head (if facing makai, it'd be your left), Ewa = toward the west - Ewa Beach (if facing makai, it'd be your right)

1: Turn makai onto Keawe St. from Ala Moana Blvd. (see above) 2: Turn Ewa from Keawe Street onto Ilalo (see above) 3: Keep going straight PAST this lot
on your left (see above)

5: Keep driving makai, into the Reuse warehouse. which will be on your left. When you see the entrance (pictured here), park along fence to your right.

4: Then turn left right after the fence where you see
the Next Step Sign (see above)

Please note: Pictured to the left is an ALTERNATIVE exit and entrance from South Street (which becomes Forrest Ave.) South St. runs between the old COMP USA building and Restaurant Row/Waterfront Towers, but after it crosses Ala Moana Blvd, it is called Forrest Avenue. You can't make a left onto Forrest from Ala Moana Blvd.

Project Details/Tasks

SPECIAL PROJECTS LED BY STUDENTS/FACULTY -- CONSULT WITH THE S-L OFFICE

One-time events or series of activities are welcome. Examples: Service-learning students plan & facilitate Reading Circles/Book Clubs, Educational Game Tournaments (with built-in tutoring/mentoring), clean-ups & other environmental projects, health fairs, etc.
Those planning one-time events must attend an Orientation to Next Step
Generally, activities involving Shelter members should take place during regular Shelter hours. However, exceptions may be negotiated.
The S-L Office can help provide ideas and planning assistance.
See what others are doing at Next Step, to inspire your own service-learning ideas!

TUTORING AND MENTORING FOCUSES ON CHILDREN -- VOLUNTEERS MUST COMMIT TO MORE THAN 20 HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE

When: Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 8:30pm, according to schedule set up with coordinator. Volunteers can determine the number of hours they serve within that time frame, on any given evening. However, 2-hours is a preferred minimum per visit.
Duties: Help kids with homework, play educational games, participate in other tutoring and mentoring activities. You may also be asked to help with other shelter activities.
How do I get started? After completing the CUH online S-L registration, send an email to site supervisor Mr.Kapua Tani (stani@waikikihc.org) AND to csssl@hawaii.edu --- Share your name, school (CUH), course info (including instructor's name), your weekly availability for volunteering, and the reason why you'd like to choose Next Step as your service site.
Once you receive a reply that clears you to work at Next Step (from Kapua or assistant, Olivia), you should email the same addresses (above) to confirm which pre-scheduled orientation you wil be attending.

Click to view Orientation schedule. Orientation is mandatory. You must have TB clearance. Dress code: dress appropriately - confortable, "modest & decent" attire.

If you have any questions, please contact the Service-Learning office.

Contact Information

On-site Supervisors for keiki mentoring/tutoring project:

Mr. Kapua Tani and assistant Olivia. Contact only according to the procedure above. If you have any questions before proceeding, please contact the Service-Learning office..
Be sure to register for Service-Learning online first, print your Connection Agreement, and bring it to training for Mr. Tani's signature. Please see the directions above to plan for getting to the shelter on time. For questions, contact Candice.

News from Next Step

Recent developments and projects have been the outgrowth of new partnerships with Next Step. Their descriptions below may help inspire your own creative ideas for projects. Please contact the S-L Office to explore your ideas.

The Hawaii HOME Project: Next Step's keiki needed lots of new school supplies for the new school year. Dr. Jill Omori's college students worked to get them brand new backpacks and the required school supplies.
Ali'i Holokai Spear Fishing leads by example, showing us how to spend "quality time" with kids. From shopping at Walmart for new clothes to an evening out at McDonald's for dinner, positive role models provide opportunities for constructive activities.
"S2S" (Surf to Serve): Surf Icon Dane Kealoha takes kids surfing at Ala Moana Bowls every other Saturday.
The new Kaka'ako Makai Market can benefit from help with setting up and breaking down.
Next Step has an on-site hydroponic garden; help to care for the garden together.
Honolulu Police Department/H5 can use help with the "Kaka'ako Community Watch," a citizens' patrol on Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
A pair of volunteers met with a small group of Next Step participants twice a week, tutoring English as a second language, in 45-minute sessions.. Hopefully, this program can be replicated, either as a one-on-one program, or as small-group sessions. You can develop your own curriculum, use a curriculum from another source such as the SHINE program, or simply talk story. In addition, you could teach application filling, resume writing, and interviewing skills, as well as being an employment advocate for unemployed Shelter members
The Walk-the-Talk Circle-O'ahu Awareness Event takes place in November each year. Its goal is to educate and raise awareness about issues related to homelessness.

Directions to Next Step: The instructions below will get you to the entrance to the Reuse/Next Step Warehouse. Drive into the left fenced area (opposite of the US Customs secured gated area). The entrance is marked by a sign that reads “Next Step” on the fence. Park alongside the warehouse (there will be other cars). Buses on Ala Moana Boulevard (several lines from Ala Moana) will take you to the South Street corner. Report to the front desk and sign in. The tutoring activities usually take place at the tables at the Diamond Head side of the shelter, near the children’s section. This area is next to the administrative offices in the trailer, inside the warehouse. Training is required before participation (see below, for sign-up instructions).
Key Makai = toward the ocean, Mauka = toward the mountains Diamond Head = toward Diamond Head (if facing makai, it'd be your left), Ewa = toward the west - Ewa Beach (if facing makai, it'd be your right)

1: Turn makai onto Keawe St. from Ala Moana Blvd. (see above)	2: Turn Ewa from Keawe Street onto Ilalo (see above)	3: Keep going straight PAST this lot on your left (see above)

		5: Keep driving makai, into the Reuse warehouse. which will be on your left. When you see the entrance (pictured here), park along fence to your right.
4: Then turn left right after the fence where you see the Next Step Sign (see above)

	Please note: Pictured to the left is an ALTERNATIVE exit and entrance from South Street (which becomes Forrest Ave.) South St. runs between the old COMP USA building and Restaurant Row/Waterfront Towers, but after it crosses Ala Moana Blvd, it is called Forrest Avenue. You can't make a left onto Forrest from Ala Moana Blvd.