KAPOLEI, Hawaii and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For several years, a sewing room in Building A of the Towers at Kuhio Park has been a place for women to preserve skills that have been passed on for generations, to learn new skills, and to meet to share life experiences. To provide more residents with this opportunity, on Oct. 25 'Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, "untied the maile" on 'Ohana Health Plan Couture, a new sewing and activity facility located in Building B.
The 'Ohana Couture room, which features five industrial-quality sewing machines, provides residents of both towers with a place to gain vocational skills while supporting their families, many of whom are recent arrivals to Hawaii from Asia and the Pacific Islands. This creative space also embraces youth participants and encourages careers in the fashion industry.
The facility is a place to learn basic and advanced sewing skills as well as a meeting place for other community outreach events. Everything the residents create is for their own use, whether it is clothes for their families or items to sell at local events and swap meets.
"'Ohana is privileged to be working directly with Better Tomorrows, the nonprofit organization coordinating services at the Towers, and the residents of Kuhio Park to create this new work, meeting and social space," said Scott Sivik, market vice president at 'Ohana Health Plan. "This is more than a place for sewing. By helping each other, residents of the Towers of Kuhio Park are addressing key social and vocational needs and becoming a social support system that can provide pathways toward healthier, more self-sufficient lifestyles."
"It seemed there was a charmed symmetry working to create this space," said Anni Peterson, director of social services with Better Tomorrows. "I'd wanted a fashion-focused program for youth for a while, and both Micronesia United (MU), a nonprofit with years of sewing experience, and 'Ohana Health Plan appeared with the same mission. The Towers' management company, Interstate Realty Management Company, was also helpful in getting the room painted and in meeting the request of MU for a sink and cabinets to help make the room more accommodating for the participants."
To learn more about Better Tomorrows, visit http://www.bettertomorrows.org.
As of September 30, 2016, 'Ohana Health Plan has nearly 240 employees in Hawaii and serves approximately 57,000 members through its offices in Kapolei, Honolulu, Hilo and Kahului.
About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan is offered by WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WellCare provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of September 30, 2016. 'Ohana has been able to take WellCare's national experience and develop an 'Ohana care model that addresses local members' health care and health coordination needs. As of September 30, 2016, 'Ohana serves approximately 49,000 Medicaid members, 8,000 Medicare Advantage members, and 400 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Hawaii. For more information about 'Ohana, please visit the company's website at www.ohanahealthplan.com.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans
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