
RYSE
Hawaii, focus on unhoused youth , serving Micronesian communities, Samoan, Filipino, Native Hawaiian, and LGTBQ + Youth
About the Organization:
Residential Youth Services & Empowerment (RYSE) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating youth access centers and shelter services in Kailua, urban Honolulu, and Haleiwa. We provide a continuum of support that empowers Hawaii’s street youth to move beyond homelessness.

organizational budget
2 million - 3 million

existence for
0-5 Years
The Issue:
Youth aged 18-24 are the fastest growing homelessness group in Hawaii, accounting for 92% of Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness, a trend likely to increase with COVID-19 causing economic hardships and rising household tensions. An astounding 75% of the youth who needed assistance were Native Hawaiian or multi-racial. Additionally, 19% of the youth aged 18-24 who participated in the 2018 Street Youth Study conducted by the University of Hawaii identified as LGBTQ+. Oahu has very few shelter options to offer homeless youth designed to meet their specific needs. Many have developed a mistrust of services following negative experiences with adults and fear social service agency notification or legal intervention.
The Solution:
- Shelter and Housing: RYSE operates two emergency housing shelters and three housing programs for youth ages 14-24 on the island of Oahu. Offering food, shelter, showers, laundry, WiFi, hygiene supplies, and wrap-around services.
- Medical Clinic & Behavioral Health: The Physical Health Services include COVID support, sexual health, family planning, chronic disease management, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, eye care, and general medical services. The Mental Health Services include behavioral health counseling, group/individual therapy, anger management classes, substance abuse counseling, and treatment referrals.
- Education and Employment: counseling, GED glasses, driver’s license support, financial literacy courses, workforce development, paid internship opportunities, and more.
- Outreach and Engagement: mobile outreach team available to reach youth where they are 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.