January 2024 – RYSE Newsletter

Sidney Bandy is a social worker serving the houseless community in Hawai’i. Sidney has spent most of her life on O’ahu, learning from the culturally rich and overwhelmingly diverse populations who call the islands home.

Sidney attended the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where she received a master’s in social work. While completing her education, Sidney worked with survivors of domestic violence; houseless adults being released from incarceration who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is essential to recognize the profound contributions of some of our social work pioneers and advocates for affordable and equal housing within the African American community. Each of these individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping our society, championing justice, and advancing the rights of marginalized populations.

By official counts, just a handful of homeless teens live on the streets of Hawaiʻi. Those who try to help them suggest that’s all wrong, that there are many more — perhaps 150 doing their best not to be counted.

They hide in tents at beach parks. On a friend or stranger’s couch. Far back in the valleys that stretch out of towns.