At just 17 years old, Maya had already experienced more instability than most people face in a lifetime.
After years of moving in and out of programs, struggling with mental health challenges, and spending time at the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), she arrived at Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi’s Horizons Independent Living Program unsure of what her future would hold. As a youth preparing to age out of the foster care and juvenile justice systems, she faced additional barriers to finding safety, stability, and acceptance.
But Horizons offered something she hadn’t experienced in a long time: a place to begin again.
Working closely with her Transition Facilitator, Maya focused on building the skills needed for independent living. Together, they established daily routines, improved personal hygiene, developed healthier eating habits, and connected her with essential resources. When she turned 18, she successfully enrolled in SNAP and Medicaid, helping ensure she had access to food and healthcare.
She also achieved one of her biggest goals, finding employment.
With the support of her Horizons caseworker, Maya applied for disability assistance and continued building the foundation for long-term stability. Just a few months after her 18th birthday, she successfully transitioned from Horizons 1 into Horizons 2, where she continues to flourish.
Today, Maya is working, saving money, and preparing for the next chapter of her life. Her goal is to become fully independent by the time she graduates from the program at age 24.
Her journey reflects the power of consistent support, compassionate guidance, and believing in a young person’s potential.
Every year, approximately 60 to 70 young adults age out of Hawaiʻi’s foster care system, often without the family support many of their peers rely on. At any given time, between 900 and 1,200 children and youth are in out-of-home care statewide. For many, programs like Horizons are among the few resources available to help bridge the gap between foster care and independent adulthood.
Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi’s Horizons Independent Living Program serves youth ages 17 to 24 by providing housing, life-skills training, employment support, financial education, and personalized case management. The program empowers young adults to build confidence, achieve self-sufficiency, and create brighter futures.
In 2025, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi impacted 74,391 people statewide, including 6,167 children, youth, and families through family and youth enrichment programs. Behind every number is a story like Maya’s, a young person who found hope, stability, and the opportunity to build a future.
For Maya, Horizons wasn’t just a place to stay.
It was the place where she finally began to believe in what was possible.
