About

Since 2004, Touch A Heart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been offering informal social services and meals to homeless individuals and families at Blaisdell Park, Waianae Boat Harbor, and the Kumuhonua Shelter.

In 2014, we adopted a new mission and strategy, then revamped our organization’s activities to address the unique situation of those with barriers to employment, including incarceration, homelessness and substance abuse.

We partner with organizations that have underutilized commercial kitchens to conduct our food services vocational training and apprenticeship programs.

We also operate four social enterprises—for-profit businesses that provide training opportunities and support our mission.

Mission

Touch A Heart empowers and transforms those facing barriers to employment by providing vocational training in a healing and nurturing environment, creating pathways to a sustainable life.

Vision

We envision a world where people recognize their true value and can realize their full potential.

Values

Intent

Everything we do is with the purpose of achieving our vision, based on our mission. The work we do intentionally places us on a journey, a roadmap specifically developed with this future in mind.

Impact

We make a difference in our communities through the work we do. Through our relationships, services and products, we make an impact by touching and transforming lives.

Inspire

What we do and how we do it spurs and empowers others toward a higher future. May we become a force and influence that inspires others to realize their potential.

Touch A Heart is a community-based, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

"I can’t even find the words to explain how much help, love, understanding and acceptance they've given me. They've given me confidence when I didn't have it in myself, helped raise my self-esteem, on top of giving me some actual work skills, which I lacked. Academically, I have a college education, but for work experience, I don't have much, so going through the internship here has given me hope to be able to be productive member of society."

—Lisa

Staff

Meet our dedicated staff!

Robin Kumabe

Executive Director

Colin Kumabe

Director of Operations and Training

Tina Terrazas

Program Coordinator

Alisa Sako

Apprentice

Melissa Chun

Apprentice

Severino Isidro

Apprentice

Abel Thammavongsa

Associate

Board

Dante Aragon

President
EMCC Hawaii, CEO

Lance Kakimoto

Treasurer
Morgan Stanley, Partner

Veronica Leong

Secretary
Bacon Universal, Manager, Accounting & Senior Auditor

Jaime Dominguez

Member
JD Painting & Decorating, Inc., CEO

Partner with us!

Partner with us and get involved!

We have a variety of opportunities to be involved and support Touch A Heart!

Get Involved