Honolulu (KHON2) – GOALS Hawaii is working to help local youth and families overcome some of life’s toughest challenges by promoting mental health awareness, substance abuse prevention, bullying prevention and community support.
The organization’s mission centers around creating conversations that can often be difficult to start.
Mental health can affect anyone, yet stigma and fear can prevent people from reaching out for help. Through its programs, GOALS Hawaii encourages people to speak up, seek support and lead with aloha, kindness and compassion.
One of the organization’s major initiatives is Ride for Recovery, a 127-mile bicycle ride around Oʻahu held during Recovery Awareness Month in September.
The ride carries a deeply personal meaning for its organizer, a two-time overdose survivor who is now eight years clean and sober. The goal is to bring hope to anyone facing addiction, mental health struggles or other challenges while showing that recovery is possible.
GOALS Hawaii also leads its signature Mālama With Aloha program, which combines motivational speaking with hands-on community service.
Participants create positive signs, spread encouraging messages through sign waving and finish the experience with a community cleanup.
The program is designed to teach leadership, service and the impact small acts of kindness can have on others.
For anyone currently struggling with addiction, the message from GOALS Hawaii is simple: don’t give up. Recovery can happen one day and one decision at a time.
The organization encourages those in need to reach out for help, lean on their support system and remember they do not have to face their challenges alone.
Through recovery advocacy, education and service, GOALS Hawaii hopes to continue building stronger communities and reminding people across the islands that healing, hope and a new chapter are possible.
Follow them on Instagram @Goals_Hawaii.