The Bella Project to Become a Program of YWCA O‘ahu
HONOLULU, HI — YWCA O‘ahu announced today that it will be acquiring The Bella Project, the local nonprofit organization that strives to make prom and other special events affordable for every high school student. The Bella Project will become a program of YWCA O‘ahu under the organization’s Dress for Success Honolulu program.
The Bella Project breaks down financial barriers for youth so all can participate in formal events by providing dresses and other formal attire free of charge. YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project saw an opportunity to collaborate on the boutique in March 2023 since their missions aligned.
In 2023, YWCA Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program celebrated 20 years of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The Bella Project, like DFS Honolulu, gives young adults a boost of confidence, by giving them the ability to participate in special events without having to worry about the financial burden it may cause their families.
“YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project have shared a common goal of empowering young adults to have confidence in how they present themselves in the world,” said Noriko Namiki, chief executive officer of YWCA O‘ahu. “We are looking forward to continuing the wonderful work built by The Bella Project over the years and helping students shine at their school events.”
“Over the past 14 years, The Bella Project has given out over 4,000 dresses to low income, special needs, and critically ill high school students,” said Valerie Schmidt, president of the Bella Project. “We are happy that the YWCA will be able to take over the legacy of providing hope and dreams to young women.”
The Bella Project is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2009. Its mission is to make prom affordable for every high school student by collecting formal dresses and accessories and providing them free of charge to those unable to purchase their own prom attire. The Bella Project promotes self-confidence, individual beauty and diversity among young adults in Hawai‘i and provides a fun, respectful atmosphere for volunteers and the students they serve.
About YWCA O‘ahu
Founded in 1900, YWCA O‘ahu is noted as the oldest and largest women’s membership organization in Hawai‘i. As a 501(c)(3) organization, YWCA O‘ahu supports women and girls by providing opportunities for economic advancement, leadership/business development, and health and wellness. YWCA O‘ahu has three facilities on O‘ahu: YWCA Laniākea in downtown Honolulu, YWCA Fernhurst in Makiki and YWCA Kokokahi in Kāne‘ohe. To support YWCA O‘ahu, visit www.ywcaoahu.org/donate.
Vice President Harris Announces YWCA O‘ahu as a Recommended Awardee for the MBDA Capital Readiness Program
On Friday, August 4, Vice President Harris announced the recommended awardees for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Capital Readiness Program that includes YWCA O‘ahu for its YWahine in Business Program.
YWCA O‘ahu was one of 43 recipients out of more than a thousand applicants and the only Hawai‘i organization to be named a recommended awardee of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program.
“The great advantage of this program is that it allows us to provide a statewide reach and serve more of Hawai‘i’s socioeconomically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, especially women,” said Noriko Namiki, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA O‘ahu. “At the core of the Capital Readiness Program is the concept of equity: providing opportunities to those who have not had a fair chance in the business world. Starting and running a successful business should not be dictated by the wealth you already have or the people you know. Those with great ideas, expertise, and gusto should be able to turn their dreams into reality and this grant can help them achieve those goals.”
INTRODUCING YWAHINE IN BUSINESS
The YWahine in Business Program will help close the entrepreneurship gap between socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) and non-SEDI. YWCA Oahu’s Business Centers, The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership Women’s Business Center, The MBDA Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) Business Center, the University of Hawai‘i, Hawaii MBDA Business Center, and local resource partners are qualified organizations that will work together on this program to serve the SEDI population. They all have the expertise to provide technical assistance for entrepreneurs starting or scaling their businesses who are seeking various forms of capital. Specifically, Women SEDI-owned and minority businesses that are applying, have previously applied, or plan to apply to an SSBCI capital program or other government program that supports small businesses.
The project will help SEDI entrepreneurs build capacity; attract and provide access to capital opportunities; and attract and provide access to networks. The service models include YWahine in Business Incubator (cohort focusing on early-stage technical assistance for new entrepreneurs), YWahine in Business Accelerator (cohort providing emerging-stage technical assistance to businesses ready to expand or scale), YWahine Pitch and Match My Business (technical assistance to SEDI entrepreneurs to access capital and apply for state SSBCI programs and/or other similar federal, state, or local government programs/funding), and wraparound services for new entrepreneurs and/or businesses in all stages of the business lifecycle as part of the offerings.
ABOUT THE MBDA CAPITAL READINESS PROGRAM
The Capital Readiness Program is a $125 million technical assistance program to help underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Once final awards are made, the awardees will launch and operate business incubators or accelerators designed to prepare underserved entrepreneurs to secure capital from the historic $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and other capital sources.
Celebrating 20 Years of Dress for Success Honolulu
In 2023, YWCA O‘ahu celebrates the 20th anniversary of its economic advancement program Dress for Success Honolulu. For 20 years, Dress for Success Honolulu has been empowering local women to achieve financial independence by providing business attire, job readiness training, and a network of support.
At the beginning of August, we were honored to welcome Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, Esq., SHRM-SCP (she/her/ella) at the Dress for Success Honolulu 20th Anniversary celebrations. During her time with us, Michele met with media affiliates at Hawai’i Public Radio and Hawaii News Now, sharing the mission of empowering women and promoting economic independence.
We were also thrilled to have distinguished guests like Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, Representative Linda Ichiyama, former Governor Neil Abercrombie & First Lady Dr. Nancie Caraway, along with our dedicated YWCA O'ahu board members, join us for this momentous occasion.
Supporting Our Neighbors on Maui
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating situation on Maui.
We would like to provide a list of organizations that we know will be able to offer assistance for those affected or offer a way for the community to help.
ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING AID AND RECEIVING DONATIONS
FEMA
Website: FEMA.gov
Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
American Red Cross
Website: www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/red-cross-helps-as-wildfires-burn.html
Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Website: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund
Aloha United Way
Website: ignite.stratuslive.com/auw/get-involved/donate/mauirelief
UPCOMING DONATION DRIVE
Friday, August 11 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hawai‘i State Capitol (415 S. Beretania St.)
Donate essential items such as:
Toiletries
Diapers
Formula
Toys
Clothing
Bedding
Household Goods
Nonperishable Food
SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
If you are a small business owner in need of advice, counseling, or support, please feel free to call one of our business centers listed below.
The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership at (808) 695-2635
MBDA Enterprising Women of Color Business Center at (808) 784-1248.
We will continue to provide information and resources about Maui wildfire relief efforts as they become available. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to come together to assist our neighbors and visitors on Maui. As this community has always done in the past, let’s stand with each other during this difficult time.
Shop Local • Shop Designer • ShopYWCA.com
We are thrilled to share the recent HINow feature of Shop YWCA, our new eCommerce platform!
Through the Wells Fargo Open for Business grant, Shop YWCA is able to promote women's economic advancement here in Hawai‘i by providing eCommerce support and training to small business owners and entrepreneurs. 🌟
The site features preloved designer items generously donated by the community along with products from local small businesses.
100% of the proceeds go toward funding YWCA Oahu's programs dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.
Mahalo to Wells Fargo and their team for making this possible!
46th Annual LeaderLuncheon
Mahalo to all who supported our 2023 LeaderLuncheon! Your support ensures the continued success of our programs dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.
We were so excited to welcome everyone to this event honoring four distinguished women leaders in our community who have made extraordinary contributions and created lasting positive impacts! Once again, we thank all of you for your support of YWCA O‘ahu and newest LeaderLuncheon Academy Members Meredith Ching, Dr. Ruth Fletcher, Shelee Kimura, and Stella Wong!
NEW! Shop YWCA - Commerce for a Cause
For the first time in our history, you will be able to contribute and support women-led businesses through online shopping with ShopYWCA.com, where every item has a story!
For the first time in our history, you will be able to contribute and support women-led businesses through online shopping with ShopYWCA.com, where every item has a story!
Shop YWCA is an e-commerce platform selling new and gently used high-end clothing and accessory brands. The platform is powered by our apprenticeship program and features products from YWCA O‘ahu program graduates, local small businesses, and collaborating artists.
Proceeds directly support YWCA Oahu’s programming in women’s economic advancement, business & leadership development, and health & wellness.
How YOU can help - By encouraging your friends, family, or community to donate high-end fashion brand apparel and accessories, you are enabling us to raise funds for life-changing programs at YWCA O‘ahu that support women’s advancement.
Mahalo for helping us make a difference, one donation and one sale at a time. 🧡
The Bella Boutique at YWCA O‘ahu
Got Prom Dresses? The Bella Boutique breaks down financial barriers for youth so they all can wear the dress of their dreams to prom, winter ball, or another formal event by providing dresses FREE of charge. YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project will present the next Bella Boutique on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at YWCA Laniākea in downtown Honolulu.
YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project will present the next Bella Boutique on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at YWCA Laniākea in downtown Honolulu.
The Bella Boutique breaks down financial barriers for youth so all can participate in proms, winter balls, and other formal events by providing dresses free of charge. YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project saw an opportunity to collaborate on the upcoming boutique since their missions align. YWCA Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program will celebrate 20 years of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
The Bella Project, like DFS Honolulu, will give young adults boost of confidence, knowing that they too can participate in milestone events that many times cause a financial hardship on families.
Participants must be currently enrolled in high school and present a valid school ID at the event.
Preregister at bit.ly/bellaprojectywca2023
Bella Project in the News
Click on the links below to view full story.
KITV4 News Article
Hawaii News Now Sunrise Morning Show TV Segment
Meet the 2023 LeaderLuncheon Honorees
In the custom of YWCA Oahu’s LeaderLuncheon, which for more than four decades has been one of the premier events celebrating the accomplishments of local women leaders, four visionary women have been selected as this year’s 46th Annual LeaderLuncheon honorees.
Pictured (left to right): Susan Ing (Vice Chair), Shelee Kimura (CEO & President of Hawaiian Electric), Dr. Ruth Fletcher (President & Head of School of St. Andrew’s Schools), Meredith Ching (Executive Vice President of External Affairs, Alexander & Baldwin), Stella Wong (Vice President of Programs, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i), and Noriko Namiki (CEO).
In the custom of YWCA Oahu’s LeaderLuncheon, which for more than four decades has been one of the premier events celebrating the accomplishments of local women leaders, four visionary women have been selected as this year’s 46th Annual LeaderLuncheon honorees.
LeaderLuncheon is YWCA Oahu’s traditional spring fundraiser, which brings the community together each year to support the organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA O‘ahu has honored nearly 200 local women since the first LeaderLuncheon in 1977 from a diverse cross-section of professional fields. This year’s LeaderLuncheon celebration will be on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Meredith Ching
Executive Vice President,
External Affairs
Alexander & Baldwin
Shelee Kimura
President & CEO
Hawaiian Electric
Dr. Ruth Fletcher
President & Head of School
St. Andrew's Schools
Stella Wong
Vice President, Programs
Catholic Charities Hawai‘i
