Single mom tries to escape violent past
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"P.A." is a victim of domestic violence trapped in poverty, but with a will to succeed.
She has been working full time for two months.
P.A. and her four children live in public housing but are barely making it financially on what she earns, welfare assistance and help from relatives.
"I have to take it one step at a time, but I know I'm going in the right direction," the 34-year-old single parent said. "My goal is to get off assistance."
P.A.'s life has been a battle. Her first marriage ended in divorce and she left her second husband two years ago. Both husbands were drug users who physically abused her.
Monetary donations also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Goods can be donated at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
"I don't do drugs, but I've made bad choices in men and got pregnant early," said P.A., whose children range in age from 2 to 13. Her youngest child was born prematurely and will have developmental problems. "We're struggling, but my children and I are together," P.A. said.
To donate, send checks payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
P.A. could use a bus pass, and her children need school supplies and diapers.
Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.
Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
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Advertiser Christmas Fund contributions
- Jocelyn Gomez $10
- Melissan and Ryane Doi $20
- Jane Prieto $20
- Sharon Gonzales $25
- In Memory of a Grandson $25
- M. & S. O. $25
- Sgt. Ti S. Shiraki, USA $25
- Sonny Wakana $25
- Shizue Watanabe $25
- Jose and Maria Gomez $30
- Mosq and Ray $30
- In Loving Memory of Larry Maloney $50
- Garrett Masuda $50
- Glenn and Kay Nishimura $50
- Barbara and William Wilmore $50
- In Memory of Dick Perrine $100
- Kara and Micah $100
- Mary Lee $100
- Irma Nabone $100
- Grace and Stan Wong $100
- The Ladies of the Kailua Christian Church $175
- Tad and Carol Iwanuma $500
- Anonymous $50
- Anonymous $50
- Anonymous $100
Total: $1,835
Total to date: $17,784.75
