The visual impacts of homelessness in our community are serious and heartbreaking, and at times, this critical social and economic issue seems so daunting that it is difficult to see what impact we can make. Increased awareness through the media and collaborative public and private sector efforts offer hope for large scale impact for families struggling with being or near homeless.

Some of us can probably only make a small scale impact. But as individuals, as well as within our organizations and as communities, we need to examine what resources we can offer to help, especially since some are closer than we think.

The YMCA of Honolulu offers youth development as well as healthy living programs through our Y locations across Oahu as well as partnerships with schools, businesses and other community organizations. The Y is not typically viewed as an organization addressing the homeless issue, but we do know that increasingly many of the youth who receive financial assistance in our intersession and summer day camp programs are homeless or living in transitional housing.

According to the American Psychological Association, homelessness has particularly adverse effects on children and youth including hunger, poor physical and mental health, and missed educational opportunities. Through programs offered by youth organizations across our community, these youth build self-esteem, interact with peers, practice social skills, and find unique opportunities to have fun and build friendships and family relationships.

A few years ago we embarked on the redevelopment of our Central Y facility at Atkinson Drive that will include expanded youth and family programs. Our current facility includes a 115-room residential section, which we have kept open as we solidify our plans. Through the efforts of Helping Hands Hawaii and Institute for Human Services (IHS), we were able to make 40 percent of these rooms available for their families and individuals who need transitional housing.

The housing manager at IHS told us that one of those was a family of four who found themselves homeless and living in a park because their landlord sold their rental home. While they had dozens of housing applications completed, none of them had come through. They were able to stay at the Central Y for a month until one of their applications was accepted.

Another individual who stayed at the Central Y after becoming homeless when his family broke up was able to find a job and meticulously saved his money until months later he had saved enough to find a place and to move out on his own.

Periodically, throughout the years, our Nuuanu Y staff members offer swim lessons to homeless children to encourage water safety and awareness. I remember watching an interaction between one young girl and her swim instructor who had given the young girl a new bathing suit to use.

At the end of the lesson, the young girl asked, “When do I give it back?” With the collective efforts of all of us helping where we can, the answer is never for more of our youth and families.

Michael F. Broderick is president/CEO of YMCA of Honolulu.