Who We Are

When people in our community are working hard and still cannot survive, the issue is not a lack of talent or effort. It is a lack of opportunity.

THE OPPORTUNITY

At Lift HI, we offer opportunities for working people to move from minimum-wage jobs with limited pathways into careers that care—for others and for their own families. We do this by connecting members of our community to healthcare careers, beginning with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) roles.

THE CHALLENGE

For many in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) community, healthcare offers good pay, benefits, and a clear career pathway. Yet accessing that opportunity can feel impossible. The need to keep earning, manage family responsibilities, and navigate complex systems that often stand in the way.

THE LIFT

Lift HI is designed to remove these barriers. We provide free CNA training with income replacement, allowing participants to step away from work or reduce hours without falling behind financially. We prepare students not only to earn a CNA credential, but to build a long-term career here in Hawai‘i, with the life and professional skills needed for job retention and growth. And we move with urgency—within three months, participants are trained, certified, and employed, earning $5–$7 more per hour.

Our Mission

Lift HI Foundation’s mission is to invest in the people and families of Hawai‘i to live stable, healthy, and fulfilling lives — and in doing so, help our local communities flourish.