It has long been our belief that molding and rebuilding an individual must include the instilling of sound work habits and vocational skills. Our objective is to extensively prepare our residents for life after rehabilitation by establishing a strong skill base and work ethic.
With thirty three years of experience, Habilitat has developed one of the most comprehensive, diverse, and commercially viable vocational training programs anywhere. Our businesses are fully functioning entities that actually support the organization. These include construction, masonry, marketing and event promotion, landscaping, painting, vehicle maintenance, computer operations, office management, and basic medical services. All meals are prepared in-house by our food service department, training residents in food preparation and kitchen management. This department has produced several talented island chefs.
With the exception of our clinical department, all of Habilitat’s businesses are staffed and managed by residents overseen by staff members with years of experience in their fields. The result is a practical and effective instructional format that exposes the individual to true on-the-job training. These entities actually assist in defraying some of the extensive operating costs of the facility. Making a difference in this way provides residents with a true sense of pride, proprietorship, and a sincere respect for hard work.
Services Department:
The Habilitat services department offers a variety of masonry and landscaping services to home and business owners on this beautiful island. We offer driveway and sidewalk paving, tile wall construction, masonry repairs, chain link fencing, and demolition services. Jobs are customized to suit our clients’ needs. Our landscaping services provide not only basic lawn and yard care, but also provide clients with creative ideas for enhancing their landscaping. “Riva Rock” is a Habilitat specialty utilizing small colorful river-washed stones to create driveways, sidewalks, and other landscaping designs. Our Habilitat services department provides the community with an economic means to have a beautiful yard.
Our services department provides the community with a valuable service, while simultaneously offering Habilitat residents a priceless opportunity to develop a good work ethic and marketable job skills that can assist in gaining employment upon graduation from the program. The resident can take pride in a job well done as evidenced by the quality of Habilitat’s masonry work and landscaping seen in the Hawaiian community.
Food Service/Catering Department:
The Habilitat food service/catering department provides our residents with on-the-job training in the culinary arts, in particular the food preparation area. Acquiring the discipline, determination, and drive to feed over 100 hungry mouths three times a day every day prepares the residents for gainful employment once they graduate from our program. Not only do they learn the day to day routines of preparing food; they also learn how to meet the requirements of our residents who have special dietary needs. They receive guidance and training on a regular basis from a licensed dietitian. The knowledge, drive, and motivation acquired by the residents while working in the kitchen help them to help their community
Enterprise Department:
Habilitat’s enterprise department prepares residents for the work force. Through commitment and perseverance, they learn the skills necessary to find gainful employment upon completion of the program. Skills developed in this department are self-discipline, communication, and teamwork. Through the years, the enterprise crew has been involved in numerous sales projects, such as family expos, telethons broadcast live from local stations, rodeos, etc.
For the past 30 years, Habilitat’s Christmas Tree Project, has provided island residents with the finest products available. Our attitude toward customer service is second to none. Through the years we have grown to be one of the largest suppliers of Christmas trees on the island of O`ahu.
The Homegrown Project, that began in the seventies has inspired entertainment careers and changed lives. With a total of six albums to date, Habilitat continues to work with island talent to bring new music to the public.
Our National Book Projects have provided information to people since 1983. These important projects have put books into numerous schools and prisons throughout the United States.
Habilitat’s enterprise crew continues its tradition of excellence with the 31st Anniversary Lu`au Celebration. This commemorative event marks a milestone in Habilitat’s history of helping people.
In addition to fundraising, Habilitat has an acquisitions department within the enterprise entity. Through acquisitions, we are able to help Habilitat save on the overall operations cost of the facility. This is as important as fundraising because it allows Habilitat to allocate more funds toward growth and education.
Through acquisitions, we have been able to incorporate a new computer network for the facility, as well as save on janitorial supplies, shipping rates, administration supplies, facility furniture, audio-visual equipment, exercise equipment, kitchen appliances, and educational, as well as recreational, excursions for the residents.
Acquisitions and fundraising work hand in hand to enable Habilitat to successfully handle its multiple projects while teaching our residents the valuable lessons of budgeting for, and coordinating, large events and projects. Training is provided that helps residents to make the transition from Habilitat into the business world successfully.