Project Visitation was created to maintain the relationship between brothers and sisters living in separate foster homes. Project Visitation volunteers support this mission by bringing siblings together for monthly visits.

Description:
For many children, losing contact with their brothers and sisters is the most difficult part about being in foster care. Although the children are finally safe in foster homes, it just isn't enough if they feel they have lost their entire family. Individuals can give:
TIME: each monthly visit involves between 4 to 8 hrs. of time dedicated to the bonding of the foster siblings; or
RESOURCES: money, tickets, lunch vouchers, coupons, or any other item that helps offset volunteer expense.
Community organizations and groups can also plan events for the children to participate in. In the past, we've had partner organizations plan magic shows, trips to the zoo, days at the beach, football games, the only limit is your creativity!

History:
Established in April 2001, Project Visitation was created by a partnership between Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and Na Keiki Law Center, Family Court of the First Circuit, the Hawaii StAs you know, Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i (VLSH) developed Project Visitation into a completely operational and successful program serving children on Oahu and West Hawai‘i. Because of you and the generous volunteers, our Project Visitation ‘kids’ get to be with their siblings.

On March 17, 2008, Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i said Aloha to Project Visitation and transitioned the management of the program to Foster Family Programs of Hawai‘i (FFP). Moving Project Visitation to FFP will allow VLSH to renew its concentration on its core mission and vision, which is to improve access to justice by making legal services available to those who cannot afford to pay lawyers. More importantly, it will align Project Visitation with a home whose mission revolves around the foster care system. Under FFPH, Project Visitation will continue uniting siblings and creating opportunities for them to bond with each other, making memories that ease the pain of their separation.

In passing the program to FFP, Moya Gray, Executive Director of VLSH, said “We are grateful for the generosity of the dedicated staff and volunteers who have made this program possible and are happy that the program will continue to do good work through Foster Family Programs.”

Linda Santos, President and CEO of Foster Family Programs of Hawai‘i expressed confidence that Project Visitation would continue to thrive under its auspices. “We understand what Project Visitation is all about and fully embrace its vision. We and VLSH worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition and no interruption in service to the people who matter most in all this: the children,” she said.

State Department of Human Services, Foster Family Programs (fka Friends of Foster Kids), and the Hawaii Foster Parents Association. Judge R. Mark Browning, to complement the efforts and goals of Na Keiki Law Center, spearheaded Project Visitation. Judge Browning knew from experience that many children placed in foster care end up in separate homes and do not have the opportunity to maintain contact with their brothers and sisters. The purpose of Project Visitation is to maintain sibling relationships by coordinating visits that give foster children an opportunity to spend time with their siblings and strengthen their bonds and connections to one another.

Contact people:

Vince Abramo, Communications Coordinator, (phone), (email) Nancy Lefler-Panela, Case Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (808) 533-1018

Address:

680 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 200 Honolulu, HI 96813 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ffphawaii.org