Founder/Executive Director
Charis
The Founder and CEO of Humanity Hale, home grown right here in Kailua-Kona, has been an advocate for underserved youth for many years. Charis has been involved with community organizations, who’s primary goals were cultivating change and fostering a sense of well-being within our youth. As a mentor for Sunburst Youth Academy & Awaken Arts, with additional training in art therapy, she heard endless stories of sexual and physical abuse, sex-trafficking, self-harm and unfathomable traumas. After mentoring several groups of these strong, amazing young kids over several years, it became very obvious to her that her life mission was to create a safe haven…A place to cultivate warriors who could do more than survive, but to thrive! It has taken four years, working three jobs to self-fund Humanity Hale, but with the support of the amazing people within our Big Island Community, we were able to launch our first program Happy Hearts, Healing Arts, June 2022! Her three year goal is to create a large group foster home, a community center and housing for foster youth aging out of the foster care system. “We have witnessed foster kids being passed around from home to home and being forced back into unsafe environments and we will do everything in our power to create a fully staffed, permanent housing foundation for them, for as long as they need us. A place to keep them safe, protected and loved…A place to create healing and the life skills needed to become contributing members of society…A place they can always call their home…We are that place…we are their forever hale and we will be their forever ohana.” Charis dreams big, but there are no limits to the healing we can create when we come together in love.
Sarah Benjamin
My name is Sarah Benjamin! I grew up in a small town in North Carolina, and my brothers and I were raised by our incredibly strong and resilient mother. My mom’s tenacity to be stronger than her past and become an incredible social worker, single mother, and foster parent has made me seek out injustices and create more equity in my community. I am a recent graduate of San Diego State University with a BS in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Humanities. I focused mostly on the school to prison pipeline and inclusivity issues in our welfare system. My goal is to get my masters degree in counseling to better serve my community. Since moving to Kona in the summer of 2021, I have been able to explore my roots in a deeper way and connect with a community that is so welcoming and acts as such a strong and caring collective.
I have worked in many different fields such as, working with kiddos with autism, or a learning disability, as well as families with domestic violence, and/or those who have been through trauma. Volunteering at Humanity Hale has created a safe space for me to be open about my heritage and being a part of the LGBTQ community. I want to create a happy and safe place for everyone in our community.
Kim Brown
Born and raised in Kailua Kona Hawaii, Kim Brown has been actively serving her community over the years. Kim dedicates her days off to nonprofit organizations such as Ikaikamauloa Youth Foundation, where she coaches boxing on the weekends, and now Humanity Hale, where she gets to be a champion for inclusion, diversity, and growth. As a member of the LGBTQ family, Kim knows how it feels to be placed in less than ideal circumstances as it relates to gender and equality. These challenges have only built her resilience and Kim is determined to help create a space where it’s safe for all children to recognize and respect themselves and others for who they truly are. Kim believes using her own experience to mentor youth is a critical ingredient in supporting positive outcomes for our Keiki, their healing, and their future.
Lily Bolton
Aloha! My name is Lily and I am thrilled to join Humanity Hale as a volunteer to support young people on the Big Island! I have more than 10 years of clinical experience treating trauma and PTSD (particularly in individuals with histories of sexual abuse and domestic violence), anxiety, depression, relationship issues, identity issues, life transitions, eating disorders, attachment issues, stress management/burnout, religious trauma/cults, and self-esteem/self-worth concerns. I hope to provide group and individual support to young people who might need a listening ear or some concrete coping skills to manage challenges in their lives. ‘m looking forward to learning from the members of this program and having some laughs along the way! My husband and I have two rescue pups, Koa and Sierra, who add so much joy and silliness to our lives. I love getting out in nature whenever possible—gardening, snorkeling, hiking, and taking in all of the rugged beauty here in Hawai’i!
Board of directors
President
Stephanie Beeby
Stephanie Beeby is known as the Business Coach and Leadership Strategist for People Who are Committed to Changing the World. She is the founder of In Flow CEO Consulting & Leaders Raising Leaders, companies committed to the growth and empowerment of visionary entrepreneur parents around the globe. She shares high-level cutting-edge energy meets business strategies and transformational techniques to shift mindsets, build emotional intelligence and emotional resiliency to connect in with our innate gifts. Her passion is supporting a new paradigm of sovereign leadership that starts with a deeper understanding of yourself. The drive to build healthy humans supports her in her work also with gifted kids and young teens to learn the wisdom of their own energy and body. She is a mother of one son and holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Consulting Psychology. Over the last 23 years, she has been a part of several boards and helped coach many to find a shared vision for success.
Vice President
Kristin Francis
Kristin Francis is a dynamic individual driven by a deep passion for fitness, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. With a major in Communications and a minor in Marketing from DePaul University, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their roles as a part owner in three gyms and a parent life coaching business. In their capacity as part owner of Anytime Fitness Aurora-Eola, Anytime Fitness Oswego, and previously Anytime Fitness Lombard, Kristin has played a pivotal role in overseeing various aspects of the gyms’ operations. From marketing strategies to managing social media platforms, from recruitment to community engagement, Kristin’s dedication and commitment have been instrumental in creating thriving fitness communities that prioritize accessibility and support.
Beyond the fitness realm, Kristin Francis is also a part owner of Big Island eSports, where she diligently manages operations, payroll, social media presence, website maintenance, and marketing efforts. Recognizing the significance of comprehensive well-being, Kristin co-founded MindFull Parent Life Coaching. In this venture, they assume responsibilities encompassing operations, program development, marketing initiatives, recruitment, social media management, and community involvement. Through their coaching programs, Kristin empowers and supports parents, guiding them through the challenges and triumphs of parenthood, while fostering healthy family dynamics and personal growth.
With a diverse background encompassing communications, marketing, and entrepreneurship, Kristin Francis seamlessly integrates their expertise to make a positive impact within the fitness industry and the lives of parents. Their unwavering dedication to community involvement and the cultivation of supportive environments is evident in all their endeavors. Kristin’s remarkable journey exemplifies the transformative power of combining passion, knowledge, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.
Secretary
Chantelle Kapua- Secretary
Chantelle Kapua is an O’ahu born, Native Hawaiian mother, wife, and mentor. Her passion to serve the community of Hawai’i derives from her own experiences as a teenager and young adult. These experiences drove her to volunteer over the years for various community organizations, schools, and events, working directly with youth. Her mission is to make a difference in other’s lives by providing support, being present, and allowing them to see their true potential.
Chantelle holds an A.S. in Audio Production and currently serves as the Booking and Artist Manager for Haku Collective, a full-service music, media and talent production group. With over 25 years of experience in Hula, she brings an additional and strong cultural presence to Humanity Hale.
Treasurer
Lindsay Read- Treasurer
Lindsay Read, owner of Access Accounting, has been helping small businesses for over 20 years in managing their financials. She is passionate about educating and empowering business owners when it comes to managing their finances. She has been a QuickbooksProAdvisor since 2008 and gives back to the community in a variety of ways.
Board Member
Kekoa Kapua-Board Member
Kekoa Kapua is currently the Director of Recreation at the Four Seasons Hualālai. His passion for Humanity Hale comes from having a handful of mentors to help him overcome his childhood trauma. As an underprivileged youth & growing up in low income housing, he is a product of perseverance & determination to break the generational curse that has been set on his family. His joy comes from serving his wife, two daughters & the youth in his community.
Board Member
Lori Ferrin | Director-Board Member
Lori Ferrin has over 20 years of experience working with nonprofit, government, educational, and service organizations. She brings employment programs and supports to underserved community members, youth work based learning programs, and individuals transitioning from education programs into employment. She has provided employment services and support for diverse populations and has worked directly with people who are immigrating or refugees to the US, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, and people in transition from education into employment.
Board Member
Chris Anderson | Director-Board Member
Chris Anderson, is President and Co-Founder of a small software company called Crystal Point for 37 years. She is a mother of 2, David and Teresa and grandmother to 3 grandsons. She has resided in Kona since 2010, after spending 30 years in the Seattle area. Her son was a Fireman/Rescue Specialist for the Hawaii Fire Department. He was a single father and needed her help in raising his 2-year-old son, Dylan. Sadly, David was killed by a reckless driver 3 ½ years ago. Since that time, her husband, Steve, and herself continue to co-parent Dylan along with his mother. We love living in Waimea and feel very blessed to live in Hawaii.
Chris’ passion is to give back to the community she lives in, especially those that are young and vulnerable. You see, her story is one of trauma as well and she became pregnant at 16 years old by the traumatized actions of another. It was required that she then marry the father who then became verbally and physically abusive. She has experienced abandonment by adults, feelings of depression, acute anxiety and worse, having no place to go to for understanding and support. Due to this, she is thrilled to be part of Humanity Hale in any way that helps achieve their Vision. It is an honor to share her business experience as a board member and demonstrate the compassion she has for those HH serves.
Her past volunteer work includes working the hotline for Seattle Suicide Prevention, Hospice, and Special Olympics. She is currently sponsoring a child in Cambodia through E-Global Family organization. This non-profit organization’s purpose is to transform the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in developing countries. On the homefront, she loves to cook for friends and family and trying new cuisines.