Dear VOPIN Family,
Spring is in full swing, and Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) is thrilled about the upcoming events and initiatives for education, culture, and community. We invite you to join us and mark your calendars for these events. Let's work together to make the most of this season of warmth and renewal!
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is the month dedicated to celebrating Volunteers and their invaluable contributions to our cause. At VOPIN, our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and we are grateful for their dedication and hard work. Whether it's mentoring, organizing events, teaching, or performing cultural arts, our volunteers make a significant impact.
We're always looking to welcome more volunteers into the VOPIN family. Whether you're interested in helping us with events such as our luau, supporting our educational and cultural programs, or sharing expertise in other areas, we have a place for you. Volunteering with VOPIN is not just about giving back but also about growing, learning, and connecting.
Interested in making a difference? Join Our Volunteer Team!
Save the Date: Together for Education Annual Luau!
Date: August 24
Location: Suquamish Clearwater Casino
Mark your calendars for our annual luau and fundraiser, 'Together for Education,' on August 24. Besides enjoying a delicious feast, you will witness stunning dance performances by our dedicated students. They have been practicing every Wednesday after school to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Tickets are now available for purchase! Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate and support our educational programs, students, and their families.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to VOPIN. We are immensely grateful for each member of our community. Let’s keep the spirit of togetherness alive!
Warm regards,
The VOPIN Team
Volunteers Do Not Necessarily Have the Time - They Have the Heart!
Ali’ikai "Teeki" Manet Camacho Sablan
(Staff Sergeant (SSG) Sablan)
Ali’ikai Manet Camacho Sablan, who is also known as Teeki, is a role model for the Pacific Islander youth in Washington State. He started working with Voices of the Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) because he wanted to help younger generations of Pacific Islanders by promoting the importance of education and mutual support. Teeki's own experiences as a young Pacific Islander who did not have enough guidance inspired him to prevent similar struggles for others.
Teeki's job at VOPIN involves a lot of interaction. He helps organize school events and, more significantly, serves as a mentor to the students. He mentions that his proudest accomplishment is the ability to communicate with the students and provide them with assistance in their current situations. He speaks from his own experiences and evaluates their problems with a positive outcome in mind. Teeki's hands-on approach has made a significant difference in the lives of our youth and young adults.
Through his volunteer work, Teeki has strengthened the bonds between the Pacific Islander youth and the community, creating a nurturing environment for students after school. He emphasizes the importance of a safe space where students can freely ask questions and express themselves without fear of judgment — a testament to the inclusive spirit he fosters within VOPIN. He passionately believes in VOPIN's value to the community, asserting, "It's a great organization, and it's something that benefits the community as a whole."
Volunteering has been a transformative experience for Teeki, deepening his understanding of shared struggles and the importance of community support. He reflects, "It showed me that no matter what generation you are born in, we’ve all experienced hardship leaving whatever island in the Pacific we’ve come from, and it takes a village to raise a child or children."
Teeki's story is a powerful reminder that we all can make a difference in our communities. At VOPIN, we promote values such as selfless service, respect, and consideration to build a stronger and more united community. By volunteering your time, you, too, can become part of something bigger than yourself - a movement towards togetherness and unity.
Take inspiration from Teeki's journey and join us in making a difference in your community. Volunteer with VOPIN today and help us in our mission to empower and uplift Pacific Islanders through education and supportive community networks. Your involvement can change lives and foster a greater sense of community.
SSG. Sablan is also on active duty as an Army Recruiter at the Silverdale location. 'Si Yu'os ma'ase, Mahalo, Fa'afetai tele, Salamat po sa inyou, Kinisou, and Thank you,' for your service and dedication, Uso! - CHEEHOO...
Community Voice
"I can't say enough kind words about this incredible team! I am currently a school psychologist intern for Federal Way Public Schools, and I reached out to VOPIN on a whim to seek support for a PI student of mine after several failed attempts to seek help closer to our school. She was struggling to connect with her cultural identity as well as make sense of many changes she was experiencing while in a sea of mostly white staff members, including myself. The VOPIN team not only replied to my request promptly, but they went above and beyond in supporting my student and her family. What was originally a request for occasional translation between our school and her family became regular visits to our site, collaborating with the student's family and our school team, as well as providing our student with means to meet goals she was working on in school. Beyond that, this team wholeheartedly provided a space for my student to connect with her whole self and share that in a safe, welcoming space. They are like family to all of us now. I cannot recommend this team highly enough!"
-Maegan Richardson, School Psychologist Intern, FWPS
Unleash Your Inner Hero!
You can invest in a brighter future for our youth with a $10 monthly contribution. It's not just a donation but an investment in their dreams and aspirations!
Together, we'll supercharge our Navigating Education program, igniting a fire of purpose and optimism to guide our students toward a prosperous future! As we stand together for our Pasefika students, their voices unite in gratitude:
Fa'afetai tele, Mahalo, Si Yu'os Ma'ase, Salamat, Malo-e-lelei, Kinisou, Kinisou chapur, Whakawhetai koe.
Thank you for your boundless generosity in making a monumental difference!
Embrace your inner hero and change lives today!
Other ways to donate.
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Reduce taxes* on capital gains while deducting the fair market value of gifted stock held for more than one year.
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* Capital gains tax and NII tax rates range from 18.8% to 37.1%, depending on your income and locality. Donate through DonateStock
King County employees: Donate through the King County Employee Giving Program
Washington State employees: Donate through the Washington State Combined Drive
