GROUP 180
YWAM HOLOHOLO MINISTRIES
transforming the future for Hawaii's Teenage Girls
Group 180 stands for 180 degrees. Making a choice to turn your life around not being persuaded by media and society but standing on high morals. It is about changing the response of a teenager when placed into a vulnerable situation. We hope to see them make their decisions based on knowledge, truth and with their future in mind; rather than on peer pressure, ignorance, and living life for the moment. We named 180 to represent our goal, which is to see the future of Hawaii's teenage girls transformed 180 degrees. We would like to see a turn around of teenage girls in their decision-making process, and in their self-worth and value.
It began as a dinner and discussion night with the girls. We starting by asking them what are some of the things they are being faced with or things they would like to know more about. The girls response were topics of dating and relationships, marijuana and other drugs, how to deal with peer pressure, alcohol, gossip and backstabbing, homosexuality, smoking, and more. At group 180 we were able to talk openly and honestly and discuss their concerns on a weekly basis. We also were able to connect with The Pregnancy Center, Hawaii Project Meth, and guest speakers who could relate with these topics to provide advice and education.
Group 180 girls are now about to start high school this upcoming year. H2M would like to take this program a step further by helping them transition into high school with a strong moral foundation of integrity and character.
Vision
Group 180's vision is to see the future of Hawaii's teenage girls transformed 180 degrees.
• Assist teenage girls in making positive mindful decisions that are unique to themselves, deflect peer pressure to ensure a positive outcome.
• Increase self worth and value through character building, poise, and etiquette.
• To create an environment for teenage girls to freely engage as positive role models among their peers and other youths.
• To assist teenage girls in pursuit for education and higher learning and begin planning for career objectives.
Mission
Group 180's mission is to provide a mentorship program for teenage girls
• Educate young females on life skills such as health, finances,relationships, and self-value
• Provide mentorship
• Provide job preparation
• Provide alternatives
• Raise awareness of the consequences of sex, drugs, alcohol, and peer pressure
THE STATS:
The following statistics were taken from the State’s Department of Education Website.
Kona’s Public High Schools
Konaweana and Kealakehe High School Years of 2009-2010
Konaweana High School total number of seniors: 148
Kealakehe High School total number of seniors: 348
Total: 496
With these numbers; of the 496 High School seniors enrolled this year, only 429 will graduate. Of those who do graduate, only 56% or 277 will go on to college and less than half of that graduate from a 4 year college. This means that of the original 496 students, 76% or 374 will drop out of college and entering the workforce at minimum wage, with low self esteem and provide hardships for their parents, creating a depreciated value within the average household in Kona. Many of these students who drop out before graduating from High School add to the problems our society faces such drugs, abuse, lawlessness, and unruly behavior with no visions or goals for their future. Holoholo targets these individuals, providing a forum to transition them from teenage to adulthood. A place where individuals are welcomed to become mindful and to make a conscious decision on how they can be productive in today’s “crisis” society.
Imagine your teenaged daughter coming home one-day explaining that she will not graduate. Most parents who are too busy providing provisions have no time allowed or allotted to hear their teenager. Other parents are not equipped with the proper communication tools to be a parent/peer-councilor for their child. Because of these reasons, the teenager now rebels and takes on to the new “street” culture, which harnesses the problems of our society. We all know in today’s industrial workforce, not having a diploma will mean less paying job opportunity, if they are readily available. Kailua-Kona has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State of Hawaii. According to the National Research Council, at least 25% of young adults across the nation are at serious risk of falling into substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy, and juvenile delinquency.
In Hawaii, we are the 17th-highest teen pregnancy rate in the U.S., according to Andrea Anderson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Hawaii. In The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, she stated, "More disconcerting is that the abortion rate among Hawaii's teens is among the highest in the nation, indicating that the large majority of teen pregnancies in Hawaii are unintended," she adds. It is a "major public health failing" that teens in Hawaii "do not have the knowledge, skills and health care that they need to prevent unintended pregnancy."
Also, Hawaii’s youth from the ages of 12-17 years old have the highest percentage of Marijuana use in the state. The National Substance Abuse website states that in 2006, 67% of Marijuana users were between the ages of 12-17 year olds. This generation is the future of our nation, education or quality life experiences are vital to bring this vicious cycle to an end.
Holoholo Ministry’s aim is to assist today’s youth to dream and believe for a brighter future for themselves and the generations that follow them. Providing guidance and equipping them with knowledge and skills is just one of the many ways we achieve our goals. Group 180 is a mentorship program for middle school girls offering seminars, excursions, workshops, and personal guidance to raise awareness of the consequences of drugs, pre-marital sex, and peer pressure through Girls' Retreat, Reinforcement Teachings, Family Support Meetings, Job Preparation, and Excursions.
2009-2010 High School
Seniors in Kona Number Percentage
Less than High School Graduate 64 13%
High School: Some College: College Graduate
152 31% 158 32% 119 24%
