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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.

There are approximately 27.6 million people subjected to human trafficking around the world. In Hawaii, more than two-thirds of those who are trafficked reported that they are currently houseless or have experienced houselessness. According to the National Network for Youth, “1 in 5 runaway and houseless youth are victims of human trafficking-inclusive of sex and labor trafficking.”