Mission
The mission of Pacific Gateway Center is to empower low-income residents, immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable populations to achieve self-sufficiency through skill-building and access to opportunities while respecting cultural heritages.
Vision
Towards self sufficiency. Survive and thrive.
Values
Pacific Gateway Center is driven by its organizational values of aloha, creativity, diversity, humor, integrity, mutual respect, teamwork, and food. These values are foundational to all PGC operations.
History
Pacific Gateway Center (PGC) was founded in response to the mass migration of Southeast Asians to Hawaii’s shores following the Vietnam War by the Palama Council of Churches in Hawai‘i that included St. Elizabeth’s Church, Kaumakapili Church, and Aldersgate Church. Immigrants, refugees, and the economically-disadvantaged live under broad conditions of vulnerability, countless being displaced from their home countries due to political instability, war, and civil conflict. Upon arrival to the United States, risk factors include social and culture exclusion, stereotyping, poverty, lack of job and communication skills, limited education, financial opportunities, housing and food support services, and healthcare. Our programs mitigate these challenges by addressing these risk factors and critical needs of our targeted populations.
PGC’s services have expanded to include the community’s kupuna, another vulnerable sector of our population. Our newest initiative, Nā Kūpuna Makamae Center (NKMC), located at 653 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu was launched in 2016. NKMC provides innovative, quality services, and programs dedicated to our seniors, their families, and community that will empower, educate, enlighten, and entertain.
Our Logo and its Meaning
Symbolic of what an immigrant or refugee would see looking up from the base of the Statue of Liberty as they gaze upon the torch being held high, the Pacific Gateway Center’s logo tells the story of many immigrants in America. The gradations of blue in the logo represent the different phases of an individual's life: from the most challenging and difficult times (the darker blues hues) through the progression to the lighter hues of blue which symbolize an increasing amount of light as help and support are provided. Borrowing from the experiences of some of our clients as “boat people,” the gradations of blue also represent the challenges, literally and figuratively, of being out at the deepest ocean until finally reaching shore where there is safety and security for one's well-being.
Awards
AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION GIVES PACIFIC GATEWAY CENTER A PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AMBASSADOR AWARD & CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
In November 2019, Pacific Gateway Center was recognized as a Public Diplomacy Ambassador and a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States State Department.
PACIFIC GATEWAY CENTER NAMED FINALIST IN CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY'S HOGAN/AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK NON-BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
This program submitted as part of this competition aimed to decrease the numerous significant financial barriers that small scale food manufactures face due to the high cost of labor.
HAWAII FOOD MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION TASTE AWARDS -- June 14, 2014
Pacific Gateway Center was honored to have been recognized by the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association as its first recipient of its Community Service Award for having made a significant contribution to improve the well-being of the local community through encouraging active employee involvement in the community.
In December 2014, the City and County of Honolulu awarded a Certificate recognizing PGC's Executive Director, Dr. Tin Myaing Thein for her service and dedication to the City and County of Honolulu and the non-profit industry and the force behind the efforts to improve Hawaii's economic development of Hawaii refugee and low-income populations."
Photo Album: A Retrospective
These photos visually tell the PGC story -- our people, our programs, our partnerships, and our caring. PGC is thankful for your support.
In accordance with 29 CFR 38.9 (g)(3), Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals will receive language assistance in all communications of vital information.
Vital information is defined as information whether written, oral or electronic, that is necessary for an individual to understand how to obtain any aid, benefit, service, and/or training; necessary for an individual to obtain any aid, benefit, service, and/or training; or required by law.