NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION BY KIDS FOR KIDS
KIDS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
LOVE IS A VERB'S MISSION
To empower kids and create leaders by building youth on a strong foundation that encourages them to take what they love and turn their passion into action.
Est. 2016
WE PROVIDE LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN THESE WAYS
OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
has created 12 youth-lead organizations aiming to make a positive difference in a variety of areas
CLICK ONE TO EXPLORE A PROGRAM
THE PLASTICS PROJECT
VISION STATEMENT
To actively combat climate change, promote environmental and ocean conservation, reduce the use of single-use plastics, advocate for sustainable practices, educate about microplastics and the importance of sustainability, protect natural resources, and encourage youth involvement in these crucial efforts
4000lbs+
of plastic, marine debris, & trash have been removed from Hawaii beaches by The Plastics Project since 2016.
The most we've removed at a single all-youth beach cleanup was over 600 lbs from Malaekahana.
150,000,000
TONS
of plastic in our ocean today.
8,000,000
TONS
of plastic dumped in our ocean each year.
300,000,000
TONS
of plastic produced every year.
50% of plastic created per year is single-use plastic, including 40 billion plastic utensils. Simple items, like straws, are used once and then thrown away. In the US alone, we use and toss 500 MILLION straws a day. We are talking about 182 billion, 500 million straws in ONE YEAR.
And every year, 15-20 TONS of that plastic washes up ON OUR SHORES IN HAWAII. That’s a lot of plastic, and that’s just one year.
BEFORE
AFTER
The Kahuku Shoreline is one of Hawaiiʻs most polluted coasts. Gyres push marine debris from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and from around the world to our beaches. The before and after photo is the result of a 6-hour cleanup. We went back 1 week later and the beach looked just as bad as the original before photo.
Who cleans the ocean? Mer-maids! The real mermaids campaign was created with the realization that the social media posts that thrive are often model focused and get more attention than educational or community service posts. The campaign aims to showcase problematic and heavily polluted beaches by capturing photos or videos of models on location and incorporating pollution in the shots.
THE REAL MERMAIDS CAMPAIGN
HASHTAG SPEAK UP MOVEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
To spread awareness & speak up for animals, advocate for humane practices & sterilization, educate about proper pet care & the importance of TNR, fight against animal cruelty and abuse, provide direct outreach to animals in need, and foster, rehabilitate, & rescue animals
90
DOGS
RESCUED DURING OUR NIMITZ RESCUE MISSION
100+
CATS
18
GUINEA PIGS
OUR LARGEST RESCUE MISSION
HOW WE DID IT
The Nimitz Rescue was the largest scale rescue HSUM has done. Nimitz is a freeway overpass that many homeless families had called home. The state did a scheduled sweep and there were hundreds of people who were displaced. The Hashtag Speak Up Movement led the animal rescue efforts for this sweep so that those affected could confidently surrender their pets and seek the assistance and treatment they needed.
We were contacted by a social worker we had previously worked with after she was unable to gain the support of no-kill animal rescues for a project this large. The only other option was The Hawaiian Humane Society who also holds the stateʻs animal control contract and is a high-kill shelter. We reached out to several organizations that we partner with. Poi Dogs and Popoki, K9 Kokua, Fur Angel Foundation, and Paws of Hawaii all agreed to work with HSUM to pull off this large rescue. HSUM spearheaded this project with Alicia Maluafiti from Poi Dogs and Popoki. Prior to setting up our base camp, we went in with a small team of youth, an adult chaperone, several police, a team of social workers, and a sheriff escort to speak with every homeless family living in the camp. From there, we got an idea of what the rescue would look like so we could plan accordingly. We set up our base camp the following day and came with mobile veterinary services. Our Facebook post for fosters went viral with 35K hits and we had people lined up to be screened as foster families. Our team spent most of our time on-site in the campgrounds but also spent time assisting in the mobile vet and managing potential fosters at the base camp. The rest of our youth team manned our Facebook page and emails. All animals were assessed, medically treated, scheduled for sterilization, and microchipped. The surrender process was difficult for many of the homeless because these were loved pets. Any families who opted to keep their pets received pet supplies and food, medical care for their animals, and were also scheduled to have their pets sterilized.
After a week on-site, we rescued around 90 dogs, over 100 cats, and 18 guinea pigs. All but two were adopted after being rehabilitated in their foster homes. Two passed away from complications. All rescues also received behavioral therapy from a specialist.
THE SPEAK UP MOVEMENT
A photo and video campaign that utilizes custom temporary tattoos or poster signs to create media similar to the no h8 campaign but highlights reasons why animal welfare is important and provides a platform for people to speak up and advocate for animals
ALOHI STRONG
VISION STATEMENT
To provide outreach & support for children receiving medical treatment or in need of special medical care, foster children, and children facing adversity or labeled "at-risk"
Alohi Strong is named after my friend, Alohilani, who lost her battle to a rare form of Leukemia. This program helps us keep her legacy alive.
Thriving Minds
KOLOHE KAI
We had the chance to help our fried Alohi meet famous local artist Roman De Peralta of Kolohe Kai!
HI ONLY CHEF KALE
We partnered with Chef Kale to teach youth how to cook & created our own cooking show!
BE THE CHANGE FAIR
VISION STATEMENT
To spark a passion in kids to make a difference, provide the knowledge and tools they need to further pursue opportunities where they can get involved in their communities, and to show kids that they are able and capable of being the change they wish to see in the world
IT'S LIKE A CAREER FAIR
BUT FOR NON-PROFITS
Where kids can learn ways they can get involved or help their communities and be inspired to make a difference in the world!
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TAKE THE BRAVE BEAR
I pledge to first and foremost, choose kindness. I will do my very best to show compassion and understanding towards others. I will remain respectful and choose to agree to disagree reagrdless of how different my beliefs are or point of views might be. I understand that I can stand firm on my own beliefs and stand up for what I believe in without being disrespectful or cruel. I choose to embrace and accept the things that make others different from me. I vow to reach out to, speak up for, or report to an authority figure on behalf of those who are being bullied and/or in the best interest of the bully who may be facing unknown circumstances themselves. This is my oath to take a stand against bullying.
GOALS IN REACH
VISION STATEMENT
To provide outreach through sports and assist children in need by providing sports equipment and funding required to PARTICIPATE in sports programs
Participating in sports holds significant importance for children and youth, encompassing those at risk and those from families facing financial limitations. Beyond the physical health benefits, sports cultivates mental well-being, imparts essential life skills such as teamwork and resilience, and provides an inclusive environment.
BOOK BUS HAWAII
HERE'S THE DREAM!
We plan to purchase a bus soon to execute this dream but until then the Book Bus Hawaii has been functioning as a small activity center that is set up at different outreach events.
VISION STATEMENT
To provide a mobile book bus and activity center that offers direct outreach, engaging read-aloud sessions, and family bonding opportunities that empower children from diverse backgrounds by supporting education through literacy and fostering positive and healthy family interactions
HOW IT STARTED
8-year-old Rylee Brooke burst into her parents' bedroom, urgently requesting them to purchase a bus. When asked why, she replied, "Because I want to create a library and classroom for kids who don't have that. And if its in a bus, then I can take it anywhere."
Having grown up with a classroom at home, complete with a vast library and a wealth of educational toys and activities, Rylee Brooke didn't always realize how fortunate she was.
When she started doing outreach in shelters where she read to preschool aged children, she wanted to share everything that she had.
She donated 70% of her childhood classroom setup to her elementary school's special education department and saved 30% of her belongings for Book Bus Hawaii.
MISSION X EVOLVE
VISION STATEMENT
To promote anti-bullying, provide community resources, and unite kids who have experiences with bullying through the travels of brave bears.
Through our programs, we aim to educate and empower children, teaching them the values of empathy, respect, and inclusivity. We strive to eliminate harmful behaviors and cultivate a culture of understanding and social acceptance. By offering platforms for advocacy, addressing injustices, and providing a strong support network, we aim to create a safe and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported.
