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HONOLULU – November 25, 2025 — Hale Kipa has been selected as one of 35 organizations nationwide to receive a grant from the Decolonizing Wealth Project’s inaugural Youth Mental Health Fund, supporting culturally grounded mental health services for young people and families across Hawaiʻi.
The Youth Mental Health Fund drew significant national interest, receiving 1,551 applications requesting more than $206 million in funding. From this highly competitive pool, just 35 organizations were selected to share $5.07 million to advance innovative, community-based approaches to youth mental health.
“We are elated to grant the inaugural round of our Youth Mental Health Fund,” said Edgar Villanueva, Founder and CEO of the Decolonizing Wealth Project. “The need for culturally responsive mental health support is profound, and this fund will help improve the lives of young people across the country. Our commitment to culturally grounded care has never been more urgent.”
The grant will strengthen Hale Kipa’s capacity to serve youth and families across Hawaiʻi who are navigating trauma, systemic inequities, and mental health challenges, while expanding programs rooted in safety, healing, and cultural connection.
“This funding is an investment in Hawaiʻi’s young people and their futures,” said Venus Kauʻiokawēkiu Rosete-Medeiros, President and CEO of Hale Kipa. “It will allow us to expand culturally grounded, nurturing care that supports healing, builds resilience, and empowers youth to discover their strengths and leadership potential.”
Rich Havard, Director of the Youth Mental Health Fund at the Decolonizing Wealth Project, highlighted the importance of community-based organizations like Hale Kipa.
“This inaugural group of grantees reflects the creativity, cultural grounding, and care that true youth mental health work requires,” said Havard. “These organizations meet young people where they are, honoring both their struggles and their strengths.”
Founded in 2018, the Decolonizing Wealth Project works nationally to transform wealth into collective wellbeing through reparative giving, storytelling, and sector transformation. The organization has helped facilitate nearly $1 billion in funding for social justice efforts and has granted more than $23 million through its Liberated Capital fund to initiatives primarily led by black and indigenous communities.
For more information, visit www.decolonizingwealth.com
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