As we begin the 2026–27 academic year, VOPIN looks to the future with hope and renewed purpose. A new school year is more than a fresh start—it is another opportunity for our students to learn, grow, reconnect, discover their strengths, and dream bigger.

We also know that many students and families are beginning this year carrying real challenges. Rising costs, housing and food insecurity, transportation barriers, and other hardships can follow a young person right into the classroom. That is why VOPIN will continue meeting our students and families where they are—with tutoring, mentoring, culturally responsive support, and Care Navigation when families need a helping hand.

Because every young person deserves to walk through the school doors knowing: I belong. I matter. Someone believes in my future.

And that sense of belonging is at the heart of one of our most important youth programs—Talanoa of Hope.

Turning Hope Into Belonging: Talanoa of Hope

Rooted in the Pasefika tradition of talanoa—open, honest conversation and storytelling—Talanoa of Hope creates a safe, culturally responsive space where students can be heard, build trusting relationships, strengthen their confidence, and support one another.

Its purpose is simple but powerful: to help young people develop the confidence, resilience, cultural connection, and sense of belonging they need to thrive—not only in school, but in life.

As we look ahead, our hope is to deepen that impact. Talanoa of Hope is more than a program—it reflects our promise to walk alongside our young people with dignity, compassion, culture, and consistency. We want every student we serve to know:

Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your future matters. You belong.

None of this work happens alone. Meaningful change grows through relationships—between students and mentors, families and schools, community partners and supporters like you. Together, we are building a stronger village where our young people can grow with confidence and look toward the future with hope.

Fa’afetai, Si Yu’us Ma’åse’, Mahalo, Salamat, Malo ‘aupito, Ngā mihi nui, Kinisou, and heartfelt thanks for walking this journey with us.

As a new school year begins, so does another chapter of possibility. Together, we move forward—one village, one heart, one hopeful future.

With deep gratitude,
The Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) Team 

While our students were enjoying a well-earned summer break, VOPIN was still learning from them.

In partnership with the UW Foster School of Business, we reviewed student surveys from the past school year and asked one simple but important question:

Why do students participate in VOPIN?

Their answers told a powerful story. Five themes rose above the rest:

Community. Kindness. Culture. Support. Confidence.

Behind these five words is something much bigger. Our students are telling us that success is not only about grades or completing assignments. They want to feel connected. They want to be surrounded by people who care. They want their culture and identity to be valued. They want support when life becomes difficult. And they want the confidence to believe in themselves and their future.

One student described that sense of belonging simply:

“VOPIN gives me freedom of expression without judgment.”
— 11th Grader

This is why Talanoa of Hope matters.

Through guided talanoa—open conversation, storytelling, listening, and reflection—students are given a space where their voices and experiences matter. They talk about family, culture, challenges, hopes, and dreams. They learn from one another as they discover more about who they are, where they come from, and who they hope to become.

In these moments, something begins to change.

Connection builds trust. Trust creates belonging. Belonging builds confidence. And confidence opens the door to possibility.

For another student, that possibility means having access to opportunities and being recognized for their efforts:

“VOPIN opens doors and brings more opportunities to PI. It helps bring recognition to those who work hard.”
— 10th Grader

As we begin another school year, our students’ voices will continue to guide us. We remain committed to creating spaces where culture is a strength, kindness is practiced, support is within reach, and every young person has the opportunity to succeed.

Because when young people feel seen, heard, and valued, they begin to believe something powerful:

I belong here. 
I can succeed.
My future is full of possibility.

A special shout-out and heartfelt thank-you to Mateo Cornin and Keli Brown from the UW Foster School of Business for helping VOPIN evaluate student data and better understand what our young people are telling us. Their work is helping us turn student voices into meaningful improvements for the year ahead.

Every gift—large or small—can make a meaningful difference. Your generosity helps a student arrive at school ready to learn, helps a family get to an important appointment, or provides support when a family is struggling to keep food on the table or a roof over their heads.

$10–$25 provides essential school supplies so a student can begin the year prepared and confident.

$50+ helps with transportation to school, work, healthcare appointments, or other essential services.

$100+ provides emergency assistance to families facing food insecurity, housing instability, utility needs, or other unexpected hardships.

Every act of generosity strengthens our village and reminds our young people and families that they are not alone.

Together, we can build a future where Pasefika youth are proud of who they are, confident in what they can achieve, and empowered to carry forward the strength and resilience of our communities.

With deep gratitude—Fa'afetai tele lava, Mahalo, Si Yu'os Ma'ase, Salamat, Malo 'aupito, Kinisou, Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Sulang, and thank you for believing in what is possible.

Across our community, families are working hard just to keep up. Rising costs for food, housing, healthcare, and transportation mean that one unexpected expense can quickly become a crisis.

For families living paycheck to paycheck, the choices can be painful: pay the rent or buy groceries, fill a prescription or put gas in the car. And when families struggle, our young people feel it too. Some work to help support their households. Others care for younger siblings. Many carry these worries quietly into the classroom.

This is where VOPIN steps in.

Through Care Navigation, we help families connect with food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and other essential resources. Through tutoring, mentoring, and culturally responsive programs, we help students stay connected to their education while building confidence, a sense of belonging, and hope for their future.

Sometimes, helping a student succeed begins by helping their family find stability.

We cannot remove every hardship, but together, we can ease the burden, open doors to opportunity, and remind families that they do not have to face difficult times alone.

When we strengthen families, we strengthen students—and when students thrive, our whole community grows stronger.

With heartfelt gratitude, thank you for your generosity and partnership with VOPIN. Because of you, students and families know they are not alone. Your support creates opportunities for young people to belong, grow, and thrive.

VOPIN remains committed to walking alongside families, bridging critical gaps, and helping every young person feel supported, valued, and seen—especially during difficult times.

You can help keep this work going. A gift of just $10 a month helps provide culturally responsive support to students and families when they need it most.

Together, we can make sure no family faces a crisis alone and every young person has hope for a brighter future.

Become a monthly donor today—and help turn compassion into lasting impact.

Fa’afetai, Si Yu’us Ma’åse’, Mahalo, Salamat, Ngā mihi, Malo ‘aupito, Kinisou, and heartfelt thanks!

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the courage of the first responders, service members, families, and everyday people whose lives were forever changed.

Twenty-five years later, we remember not only the tragedy of that day, but also the humanity that followed—neighbors helping neighbors, strangers reaching out to one another, and communities coming together during an unimaginable time.

For our young people, many of whom were born long after 9/11, this anniversary carries an important lesson: in our most difficult moments, compassion, courage, and unity matter.

May we honor those we lost by choosing kindness over division, hope over fear, and service to one another.

We remember. We honor. We carry their stories forward.

September 11, 2001 — Never Forgotten.

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