About
Our goal is to provide 3,000 additional children with compassionate mentors by 2025.
We are a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Hawai'i that facilitates partnerships between public schools, business, civic, and faith-based communities to provide mentors for highly vulnerable children. Since 2002, we have helped over 3,000 children.
Many of the children we work with are lacking stability in their lives. They may be experiencing homelessness, constant moving due to military placement, inadequate education, incarcerated family members, single-parent homes, drug/alcohol abuse, food insecurity, language barriers, cultural differences, discrimination, and few resources/assets. Some students we work with experience bullying or ostracization from peers. These students are referred to our program with the help of teachers and counselors, who believe the child could benefit from the personal attention from a mentor who truly cares for their well-being.
The structure of our mentoring sessions is one-to-one. During the school year, mentors commit to meeting with a student for one hour, once a week at a designated location.
We are supported by the state of Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent, and we received the Partnership in Education Award in 2007.
Letter from the Executive Director
Aloha Common Grace 'Ohana!
Our mentors and elementary and middle school students have been meeting in person since the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year. Although it was challenging in the beginning of the year, students are able to see their teen and adult mentors face to face on a weekly basis.
When you are able to, I encourage you to contact us at commongraceofhawaii@gmail.com and schedule a visit to see how mentoring sessions are actually done. They are fun and lighthearted. Mentors and their students play Connect 4, football, and basketball or run in the playground, color, and just have conversation. They look each other in the eyes and read each other's body language. It is such an amazing experience to see relationships building between mentors and mentees.
We will be having a spring break activity across our school partnerships. During this activity, we expect the bond between mentors and their students to strengthen and be memorable. Please pray for success for the mentors and students. As spring is approaching us, remember that Common Grace is about seed planting and relationship. Please pray for success in both aspects.
We hope you have a fun spring. Have fun, be healthy, and be safe!
Mahalo,
Aries Jackson | Executive Director
Our Staff
Aries Jackson
Executive Director
"God is calling me to serve Common Grace to rescue children through loving them as He loves me." Matthew 22:39 ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Sofia Matias
Outreach Coordinator
"I've been a part of the Common Grace Ohana since high school and I met Jesus through our program. It changed my life and I believe that it can give hope and guidance to others, just like it has for me."
Emily Ta
Program Coordinator
"I am motivated to serve at Common Grace because our keiki need us! Too many are isolated, bullied, and hurting. Common Grace provides an attentive and caring friend who can truly change the trajectory of a child's day, week, school year, and life."
.png)
Chelsie Ahue
Administrative Assistant
"Seeing kids feel loved & have a sense of belonging is like nothing else. In Psalms 127:3, it says 'children are a gift from the Lord.' I'm so honored to be a part of a growing organization that helps youth feel heard, known & understood."
Our Board of Directors
Jay Jarman
Founder & Board Member
"'I see Him in every vulnerable child.' Matthew 25:35-36, 40 (NIV) God wants our lives to overflow with mercy, love, and compassion — the marks of His kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we have a choice: respond to unsettling realities in fear and withdraw, or follow Him in responding to the greatest needs of our day with love and hope."
Brady Giusta
Board Member
"I believe in the mission. Lonely kids need friends."
Vehia Goo
Chairman of the Board
"Every time a mentor meets with their mentee they both become that much more able to imagine a better life for themselves. Every time they meet our future gets a little brighter."
Joe Passentino
Board Member
“I am motivated to serve through Common Grace / Malama Mentors because they are passionate about serving students in the community. Our goal is to change the trajectory of students' lives and to help them on their path to be contributing members of society. The earlier we can intervene the better our chances are to help create success in their lives. "
Sally Manglicmot
Treasurer
"I simply asked the Lord to use me. I look forward to giving back to children by lifting them up as I was lifted up [informally] by a mentor when in the sixth grade, and that relationship has impacted my life in multiple ways since then."
Bill Rhey
Board Member
"God has a special place in his heart and Kingdom for children. Social science clearly establishes the importance of adult role models in the healthy development of children as responsible members of society. Common Grace is doing the work of the Kingdom, and by doing so, is working to make our community and its children, healthier, safer, and more prosperous."
Lisa Herring
Board Member
"I am excited to be a part of the Common Grace Ohana! I believe our mission changes lives by positvely impacting the growth and development of our future leaders. "
Board of Directors Emeritus
Ron Arnold
John Nelson
Ray Sugai
Tom Stirling
Susanne Millard
