Connie Mitchell - November 2016 Kahiau Award Recipient

Connie Mitchell
Institute for Human Services (IHS)
​Executive Director
November 2016 Kahiau Award Recipient

During her ten-years as Executive Director of Institute for Human Services (IHS), Connie has developed a management team that has transformed the agency; creating a consortium of homeless services that both prevent homelessness and transform the lives of those who are currently homeless. She has fully integrated agency programs and services for greater effectiveness, added five new programs over 5 years, and established IHS as a clear leader for homeless services in Hawaii. During her tenure, the organization went from serving 1,400 people to over 5,000, and has diversified its funding streams to include a $1.5M grant from the US Dept. of Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, which cross-trains staff to triage the complex needs of chronically homeless persons. Under Connie's leadership, IHS has collaborated with over 20 local academic programs and non-profit human service agencies. Connie engages with numerous corporate partners and a range of faith communities in the mission of providing respite to those unsheltered. She has also worked closely with HLTA and the visitor industry in addressing the issue of homelessness in Waikiki.