OUTREACH & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Located in the heart of downtown Honolulu, and surrounded by a community with many needs, St. Elizabeth's has stepped up to meet the challenge with a number of outreach programs and services. We are an active voice for social justice, peace and renewal. Volunteers, supporters, and donations are always welcomed, needed and most appreciated.
Catholic Worker: Wallyhouse
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In January 2018 we happily welcomed two members of the Third Order of St. Francis, an Episcopal lay order of those who follow the Rule of St. Francis; namely a life of poverty and service to the least among us. Our Catholic Workers, David Catron and barbara bennet, have taken on overseeing many of the outreach ministries of the church, and added a few more! Click on the link below to learn more about the many wonderful things the Catholic Workers are doing at St. E's and in the community.
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FACE & Housing Now! Coalition
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St. Elizabeth’s is a founding member of Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) and an active member in the Housing Now! Coalition, an advocacy group made up of over 20 churches, unions and non-profits focused on solving the housing crisis in Hawaii. FACE and Housing Now! organized several rallies at both the State Capitol and City Hall, urging systemic changes and significant financing for our housing needs. These efforts, along with those of many others, saw unprecedented public resources being devoted to the creation of affordable housing and to a broad community awareness that business as usual will be a disaster for Hawaii’s working people when it comes to owning or renting a home. We believe we are called not only to feed the hungry woman standing before us, but to try to change the structures of society that cause that woman to be hungry in the first place. Click on the links below to learn more about FACE and the Housing Now! Coalition:
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Food Pantry
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-12:00pm & 2:00-5:00 pm; Saturday 8:00am-Noon
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Thanks to the Hawai'i Food Bank, St. Elizabeth's is able to offer a food pantry open six days a week. A variety of foods are provided that are helpful to both the housed and the unhoused, including canned meats and vegetables, snacks, drinks, rice, pastas and more. The food pantry serves hundreds of people per week and is a significant help especially to families with children. Distribution is from Wallyhouse by our Catholic Workers, and Charles and Judy Kokubun, Collette and Harlan Arakawa and Aunty Patsy Ching are among those who work tirelessly to keep this ministry stocked and ready to roll!
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Jubilee Committee
Archdeacon Steve Costa, The Rev Haaheo Guanson and Judge Mike Town do a podcast on prison reform.
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St Elizabeth's is the only Jubilee Church on Oahu. We got that title from the national church in recognition of our many efforts to improve the lives of those in our community. We have worked hard to get
Medicaid for folks from Micronesia by organizing marches to the federal building. We have also been deeply involved in the Housing Now! Coalition seeking affordable homes for the people of these islands. These last two years have seen a deep dive into prison and criminal justice reform. Too many of our local people are locked up. Too little rehabilitation is offered in prison and too many are released back into the community without a place to live, a job to show up to or a support group to look to. As Jesus says about judgment day: as you do to the least of these, you do to me..." |
Saturday Breakfasts
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MARCH 2020
Sorry to say but this ministry is suspended until the corona virus issue is resolved. Saturday morning at St. E’s you will hear the sizzle of bacon on the grill, the cracking of eggs into large mixing bowls and the sounds of laughter as volunteers mingle with our houseless guests for a hot start off the day right breakfast. Foot washing of our guests takes place at the back of the church hall, where folks not used to being touched by another human being can experience the warmth of God’s love for all people. Clothing and footwear is also distributed. This ministry isn’t possible without the tons of support from many folks, including many teens from our private and public schools. And you are most welcome to flip an egg, roll a napkin or just hand out some good advice! |
Showers & Container Home
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St Elizabeth’s provides a converted shipping container that houses families and singles for two to three months at a time, requiring the residents to receive services to help them get into employment and transitional housing. We also provide shower facilities and toilets for those who need them at no charge.
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Supporting Our Ministries
We deeply appreciate your support, whether through monetary donations, volunteerism, or goods.
If you would like to volunteer or donate specific items for drop off, contact our office at 808-845-2112, or complete the contact form HERE.
You may make a monetary donation through GIVLIA giving platform.
Click on the GIVE tab at the top of the page!
If you would like to volunteer or donate specific items for drop off, contact our office at 808-845-2112, or complete the contact form HERE.
You may make a monetary donation through GIVLIA giving platform.
Click on the GIVE tab at the top of the page!