Maui-based philanthropist Ed Freedman and his Stable Road Foundation have announced a $250,000 donation toward the construction of the temporary location of Sacred Hearts School on the island of Maui. The new school will serve 225 students from pre-K through 12th grade.

The original school was partially destroyed by the devastating wildfires that swept the island in August 2023, which decimated many campus buildings and left the rest unusable. Since the fires, students have been studying at the Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua.

The new temporary school is located in Kā’anapali on a spacious campus. A blessing ceremony was recently held at the site, featuring Ed Freedman of Stable Road Foundation, Principal Tonata Lolesio of Sacred Hearts, Greg Shepherd of Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), and other community leaders.

The school is scheduled to open in early August 2024. Three buildings will house 11 classrooms with air conditioning, while air-conditioned trailers will be set up to provide restroom facilities. The new temporary school also features a basketball court, outdoor dining areas, administration facilities, and more.

“Serving our ‘ohana on Maui has always been one of the main focuses of Stable Road Foundation,” says executive director Pablo Rendon. “We’ve been working with schools and childhood development organizations here for years. We believe every child deserves a chance to achieve their greatest potential, and we’re proud to put our expertise to good use for the kids of Sacred Hearts.”

Founded by Ed Freedman in 2017, Stable Road Foundation is committed to strengthening communities through childhood development programs and environmental conservation. The foundation has become a community institution on Maui through its support of local organizations like Imua Family Services, which provide schooling and recreational activities to children, with a special focus on those with special needs.

Stable Road Foundation is part of a collaborative effort to rebuild Sacred Hearts School. Additional support will come from organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation, and Stable Road Foundation’s longtime partner Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).

“We are honored and blessed to partner with Ed Freedman and the Stable Road Foundation to bring a sense of stability and safety to the keiki and families of Sacred Hearts School Maui,” says Kainoa Horcajo, Director of Community Development for GEM Hawaii. “Lahaina is a place where family matters, where faith matters, and this partnership is a testament to those values and the good work being done to serve our community in the face of unfathomable adversity.”

GEM, one of the few global nonprofits with a 100% rating for all categories on Charity Navigator, has been a key player in Maui’s disaster relief efforts since the fires. The organization has committed $15 million to rebuilding efforts, and plays a critical role in delivering essential food and supplies to families, assessing community needs and developing innovative solutions to those problems, helping displaced individuals and ʻohana out of shelters and into long-term housing options, and contributing to long-term group housing communities alongside the State of Hawaii, County of Maui, and other partners.

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