Volunteers clean, paint IHS shelters to mark anniversary

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hundreds of volunteers painted and deep-cleaned Institute for Human Services (IHS) shelters Saturday in celebration of its anniversary.

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From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., volunteers and IHS staff spruced up the Men’s Shelter and Kaahi Women and Family Shelter.

Organizers said cleaning the shelters is very important to the community and homelessness can happen to anyone.

“I think most people think of people who are homeless as them and not us, but in fact at any given time a lot of us can end up in that same situation,” said Connie Mitchell, IHS executive director.

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For 48 years, IHS has helped combat homelessness in Hawaii, originally starting in Chinatown where they offered shelter, coffee, food and counseling.

“I hope everyone walks away with that feeling of gratitude, giving back and just making a small impact,” said volunteer Mitchelle Chang.

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