Spectrum Announces Additional $40,000 Grant to ALU LIKE

Spectrum announced ALU LIKE has received an additional $40,000 towards its workforce development programs through Spectrum Community Center Assist (SCCA), the company’s $30 million philanthropic initiative to revitalize local community centers and invest in job training programs in underserved rural and urban neighborhoods where Spectrum operates.

This is the third SCCA Grant from Spectrum that has been awarded to ALU LIKE for a total of $140,000. The organization will use the grant for the valuable services it provides to the community on the islands of Hawaii.

ALU LIKE, a private, non-profit organization founded in 1975, has been dedicated to aiding Native Hawaiians in achieving social and economic self-sufficiency through various services such as community economic development, business assistance, employment preparation, and educational programs.

The $40,000 grant will continue to support ALU LIKE’s job skills training program. Since 2022, the organization has served over 6,000 participants, with more than 1,200 receiving job training and credentials, and more than 200 securing jobs across the Hawaiian islands.

“ALU LIKE is honored to continue partnering with Spectrum to enhance our ability to provide technology access and job training and development opportunities in Nanakuli,” said Mervina Cash-Kaeo, ALU LIKE President and CEO. “This additional funding will enable us to provide even more opportunities for our community members to gain the skills they need for economic self-sufficiency. We are deeply grateful for Spectrum's continued support and excited about the positive impact this partnership will bring."

The award was presented alongside Rep. Cedric Gates and Rep. Darius Kila and Spectrum executives at ALU LIKE’s Wainaie location.

"I am proud to celebrate the third year of ALU LIKE’s partnership with Spectrum, which supports crucial job training programs in our communities," said Rep. Gates. "This continued investment is a testament to the positive impact we can achieve when we work together for the betterment of our residents."

Spectrum launched the partnership in 2022 with a $50,000 award, where Spectrum employees and community volunteers made repairs and other physical improvements to the center in Nanakuli. Additionally, Spectrum provided 50 laptops, a Smartboard and its advanced 1 gigabit-per-second internet service for ALU LIKE’s Spectrum Training & Technology Center. In 2023, Spectrum contributed an additional $50,000 to support the organization.

"The partnership between ALU LIKE and Spectrum is making a real difference for our local families,” said Rep. Kila. "By offering crucial skills, resources, and updated facilities, they’re giving people the opportunity to improve their economic situation and create a brighter future for our entire community."

“The long-term partnership we created with ALU LIKE is making a real difference in the lives of local residents by giving them the skills, tools and updated facilities they need to improve their economic situation,” said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President, Community Impact for Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity services. “Already thousands of people around the country have participated in SCCA in the neighborhoods we serve, as we continue to work with ALU LIKE to provide essential job training in a safe and revitalized space.”

Spectrum launched Spectrum Community Center Assist in 2021 and will invest $30 million to benefit 100 community centers and job training programs in underserved areas across the company’s 41-state footprint. At each location, Spectrum invests in the community center’s job training efforts with cash grants and in-kind contributions, improves physical classroom spaces, sponsors rebuilding events with volunteers to repair and enhance the physical buildings, and provides new equipment, including laptops and furniture.

More information about Spectrum Community Center Assist is available here.