Overview
Youth Empowerment & Action Directorate
The Youth Empowerment & Action Directorate is Ohana Foundation International's investment in the future — a comprehensive program of civic education, educational support, and youth leadership development designed to equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape the world they will inherit.
The directorate operates on the conviction that young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow — they are agents of change today. Its programs are designed to activate that agency: connecting young people to their communities, to the democratic processes that govern their lives, and to the educational opportunities that expand their horizons.
From after-school tutoring and scholarship support to civic internships and international youth exchange programs, the directorate builds pathways that are accessible to young people regardless of their economic background or geographic location — because talent and potential are universal, even when opportunity is not.
Civic Education
Building Democratic Participation
The directorate's civic education programs go beyond classroom instruction — they create real experiences of democratic participation. Youth civic councils, community project grants, and internship placements with local government and civil society organizations give young people direct experience of how communities make decisions and how individuals can influence those decisions. This experiential approach builds not just knowledge but the confidence and motivation to participate.
Educational Support
Academic Achievement & Scholarship
Educational support programs address the barriers that prevent talented young people from reaching their academic potential — from tutoring and mentorship to scholarship assistance and college preparation. The directorate partners with schools, universities, and community organizations to create a seamless pipeline of support from early education through higher learning, with particular attention to first-generation college students and young people from communities with historically low educational attainment.
Areas of Focus
Community Priorities
Youth Civic Councils
Community-based youth councils providing real experience of democratic deliberation and community decision-making.
Civic Internship Placements
Structured internship programs placing young people in government, civil society, and community organizations.
After-School Tutoring
Academic support programs providing tutoring, homework help, and enrichment activities outside school hours.
Scholarship Programs
Merit and need-based scholarship support for young people pursuing higher education.
College Preparation
Guidance, test preparation, and application support for first-generation and underrepresented college applicants.
International Youth Exchange
Cross-cultural exchange programs building global awareness and international networks among young community leaders.