Building Strong Readers and Empowering Parents
Our commitment to critical programs is a dedication to the lifelong success of our students, families, and communities. These initiatives extend beyond traditional education, aiming to cultivate not only academic excellence but also essential life skills in our students. By fostering a dynamic learning environment, we empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence. Simultaneously, our family-focused programs strengthen familial bonds, fostering an environment where each member can thrive collectively and individually.
Prevent Educational Gaps and the Serious Issues They Create
Our commitment to critical programs is a dedication to the lifelong success of our students, families, and communities. These initiatives extend beyond traditional education, aiming to cultivate not only academic excellence but also essential life skills in our students. By fostering a dynamic learning environment, we empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence. Simultaneously, our family-focused programs strengthen familial bonds, fostering an environment where each member can thrive collectively and individually.
Only 1 in 3 children in Hawaii were prepared for kindergarten in 2023-2025, setting them back significantly, impacting Hawaii's future.
2025 Impact and Results
- Literacy Success: 91% of our students ended 2025 at average or above-average literacy levels.
- At-Risk Improvement: 100% of our at-risk students ended the year at average or above in Language Index.
- Parents: 96% of parents stated the year round parent coaching is just as important as the strong literacy foundations.
Many children fall behind in reading early, but families can change that path.
- Build strong reading foundations before kindergarten
- Help children stay confident and engaged in school
- Give parents clear tools to support learning at home
- Create consistent growth beyond the classroom
It does not have to be that way when families are equipped to lead the way.
Critical programs to improve the lifetime success of our students, our families, and our communities
Children who experience educational gaps often fall through the cracks and are likely to:
- Start kindergarten below grade level and never catch up
- Drop-out of high school
- Face chronic poverty
- Encounter homelessness or incarceration
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Strong readers are built early and it starts at home.
- Prevent learning gaps before they begin
- Equip parents with tools to support reading at home
- Build strong readers through consistent, year round support
Through our programs and partnerships, children gain the skills they need to succeed in school while parents learn how to confidently support learning at home and become part of a growing literacy community.
ICH’s Initial Program: Building Blocks Hawaii
Kindergarten Readiness
Introduces children to critical thinking, creativity, social-emotional learning, and Hawaiian culture.
Literacy
Empowers children to meet kindergarten-level expectations with literacy skills that will determine their level of thrivability.
Parent Support
Guide parents as their child’s “first teacher” by providing educational tips, resources, and parent empowerment sessions.
Low Literacy - The overlooked publich health and economic issue of our time.
EXCLUSIVE learning components of our program
- Parent participation: Childhood development techniques are modeled for both child and parent
- Introduction to critical thinking: Effective problem-solving and decision-making is in everything we teach.
- Values leadership: An introduction to leadership affirmations developing self-esteem and concern for others.
A professional team with VAST EXPERTISE
- 100+ years of combined Department of Education experience: Expert staff and volunteers.
- Evidence-based, multi-sensory curriculum: for literacy and social emotional development.
- Ongoing professional development: with latest tools, strategies, and classroom observation.
Founding Community Partners that are IMPROVING THE LIVES OF HAWAII’S CHILDREN
Our Vision for the Next Five Years
We are scaling a model that does more than teach children to read. It equips families, strengthens educators, and creates lasting impact in communities.
- Reach more families with early literacy programs that start at home
- Equip parents with tools and confidence through year round coaching
- Expand educator training and grow a connected literacy ohana across Hawaii
Three simple steps to support Impact.Change.Hawaii
Every dollar is used effectively to prevent systemic issues that result from educational gaps.
Enjoy a discovery call with Executive Director Leila Fujinaka to discuss additional ways you can provide support.
Celebrate your contribution to improvements in the lives of our keiki, our families, and our communities.
Help bridge a critical gap
Many children in Hawaiʻi fall behind in reading before they ever enter school, and the gap only widens over time. When early literacy is missed, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom, affecting confidence, opportunity, and long term outcomes for both children and their families.
Impact Change Hawaii equips families with the tools, coaching, and support to change that trajectory early. We do more than provide access to education. We empower parents to confidently support their child’s learning at home while building strong reading foundations that last.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, we provide year round training and guidance for both educators and families, creating a consistent and supportive learning environment.
When families are equipped early, children thrive, and entire communities are strengthened.
