Navigation Council Member Feature: Susan Maddox, Friends of the Future
We’re starting a newsletter segment to help introduce our Navigation Council members and the values driving our work.
First up is Susan Maddox, Executive Director of Friends of the Future. Mahalo Susan for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions!
Question: Why is Hokupa'a's work important to your organization?
Friends of the Future participated in the first conversations about Hōkupaʻa. Our vision and mission are
VISION
Hawaii leads the way in creating processes that combine the diversity of all the cultures, beliefs, races
and technologies converging here (ripples in) into new ways of living together in fairness and peace
on a very small planet (ripples going out).
MISSION
To create trust and harmony among the diverse cultures of Hawai´i through a process where all people can openly contribute their deepest values, create shared visions and continuously improve their communities.
Hōkupaʻa's work speaks directly to both FOF's vision and mission.
Question: What part of Hokupa'a's mission statement resonates most strongly with you/your organization? Mission statement: We work to empower students, support schools, and connect community to increase the personal, educational and economic success for our youth and the future of Hawaiʻi.
"Empower students, support schools and connect community". Over its 30 year history, Friends of the Future has always had at least one program or initiative specifically directed to improving the outcomes for youth.
Question: Which Hokupa'a efforts (past or future) are you most proud of or excited about?
The early annual summits were well attended, youth voice focused, and provided a wealth of information.
More recently, the continuing commitment of long time Navigation Council members to continue to steward the work, is exciting.
Question: What is your vision for West Hawai'i and its youth?
I’m much more interested in the vision of youth for West Hawaiʻi. (I’ve attached the results of a multi-island youth initiative called Ke Ala Hoku in 1995...this is the distillation of input from hundreds of youth who participated in the project. If the date were removed, it would read well in today’s world)
Question: How can people reading this take action to improve outcomes for young people in West Hawai'i?
Anyone interested in creating a community where youth voices are respected and listened to, can become part of Hōkupaʻa, support youth programs, provide youth mentorships/internships, coach an athletic team, encourage learning beyond high school...just care about youth!
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