Jordan & Cara Odo Scholarship Foundation
  • Home
  • Foundation
  • Scholarship
  • Next Gen
  • Donate
  • Home
  • Foundation
  • Scholarship
  • Next Gen
  • Donate
Picture

Program Dates: June 13 - August 1
​We're unfortunately no longer accepting applications.

In this summer program, you won't be making the office coffee or filing papers . . .

Student participants will experience real personal growth, all while working to expand affordable housing in Hawaii.

Picture
We provide leadership development sessions, mentoring, and growth opportunities that are geared toward young leaders who want to make a difference in Hawaii.
Picture
While working on their team projects, participants will gain a greater understanding of the housing crisis from industry experts and the know how to advocate for issues that they care about. Your ideas could also make a real impact!
Picture
We provide participants many opportunities to develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships with leaders in Hawaii, connect with job recruiters, and network with community-minded peers.

Picture
And, don't forget, we're a scholarship foundation!

​In the past two years, we awarded more than $25,000 worth of scholarships to students participating in our Next Gen Leaders Program -- thanks in large part to our generous sponsors.  Participants have opportunities to receive money to continue their education.


This unique program is proven to be impactful.

Hear what a few past participants have said about the Next Gen Leaders Program:
Picture
​
​“This program is not your average internship – it is an amazing opportunity to enact real change in your community by tackling issues you are passionate about.  The program offers a variety of engaging and complementary activities designed to nurture students into the best possible community leaders and individuals they can be.”

Picture
​
​“This year’s program was amazing and memorable.  I felt supported by the Odo Foundation every step of the way.  I would highly recommend this program for any student who wants to make a difference in Hawaii and doesn’t know where to start.”

Picture
​
​“This experience has inspired me to reach out to more organizations and individuals who truly care about my ideas as well as Hawaii’s future.  The Next Gen Leaders program has changed my outlook on myself and how I can contribute to society.”


Picture

You can be a part of the solution.

In March 2022, the median sales price of a single-family home on Oahu hit a record $1,150,000.  That was largely driven by the increased housing demand and lower supply of homes on the market (11% decrease from March 2021).  

The State of Hawaii forecasts that we will need to develop about 50,000 more housing units between 2020 and 2025 to cover the demand, and a vast majority of those units must be affordable for low- and moderate-income families.  Younger people, who are just starting their careers, will certainly be impacted.

For this year's Next Gen Leaders Program, we are teaming up with Housing Hawaii's Future, a nonprofit whose goal is to create opportunities for Gen Z and Millennials by ending the workforce housing shortage in Hawaii.  The organization was recently featured in an article by the University of Hawaii.  

This is an opportunity to make your voice heard!  Participants will work in teams to research and propose solutions to aspects of the housing crisis.  Examples of topics include:
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation in housing
  • Homelessness
  • Housing for Native Hawaiian families
  • Transient accommodations development
  • Workforce housing
  • Locals-only housing

At the end of the program, the teams will present their findings and ideas to a panel of community leaders.  Additionally, ideas generated in the program will be shared with relevant policy makers including the governor, county mayors, appointed officials, and legislative bodies.

We want to help those who want to help others.

The ideal candidate meets all of the following requirements.

Community-Minded

  • Motivated to make a difference in Hawaii; and
  • Demonstrates an interest in service leadership.

Hawaii Resident

  • Graduated from a Hawaii high school or currently attending a Hawaii college or university; and
  • Intends to live in Hawaii after college or graduate school.

Student

  • Eager to learn from experts, mentors, leaders, and teammates;
  • Enrolled in a two- or four-year college, graduate school, or professional program in Fall 2022;
  • Entering the following years in Fall 2022:
    • Junior (undergraduate)
    • Senior (undergraduate)
    • Graduate or professional program; and
  • Currently has a 3.0 GPA or higher.

We want you to make the most of your opportunities.

We really care about developing and supporting the next generation of Hawaii's leaders.  That is why:
  1. There is no cost to participate in the Next Gen Leaders Program; and
  2. The virtual format and minimal required meeting times (mostly scheduled during the lunch hour) are designed to provide flexibility to students who may have other commitments over the summer.
Tentative Program Schedule
(All are virtual events unless otherwise noted.)
​Major Events
  • Monday, June 13, at 12:00-1:00 - Kickoff (First Day of Program)
  • Saturday, July 30, at 9:30-12:00 - Presentation Day
  • Monday, August 1, at 12:00-1:00 - Debrief (Last Day of Program)
Talk Stories and Leadership Development Sessions (Wednesdays at 12:00-1:00)
  • Wednesday, June 15, at 12:00-1:00 - Leadership Development Session
  • Wednesday, June 22, at 12:00-1:00 - Why Is Housing Unaffordable?
  • Wednesday, June 29, at 12:00-1:00 - Locals-Only Housing Options
  • Wednesday, July 6, at 12:00-1:00 - Overcoming NIMBYism
  • Wednesday, July 13, at 12:00-1:00 - TBA
  • Wednesday, July 20, at 12:00-1:00 - TBA
For Team Leaders -- Check-In Meetings with the Project Director  (Fridays at 12:00-12:30)
  • Friday, June 17, at 12:00-12:30
  • Friday, June 24, at 12:00-12:30
  • Friday, July 1, at 12:00-12:30
  • Friday, July 8, at 12:00-12:30
  • Friday, July 15, at 12:00-12:30
  • Friday, July 22, at 12:00-12:30
  • Wednesday, July 27, at 12:00-12:30
Participant Commitment
We truly believe in the saying, "The more you put in, the more you get out of it."  We want our participants to benefit from the knowledge and wisdom of our great group of speakers and mentors.  Additionally, team project work is important for applied leadership skill building.

​Participants must attend all program events, including the Major Events and Talk Stories.  Additionally, participants should expect to spend roughly 10-15 hours per week in the program.  Here's a sample of a typical week:
  • Program meetings: 1-2 hours per week
  • Mentor meetings: 1 hour per week
  • Leadership development activities and readings (on your own): 1-2 hours per week
  • Team project meetings: 2-3 hours per week
  • Project work (on your own): 5-7 hours per week

Our team is ready to assist the next generation of leaders.

MENTORS
Picture
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP TEAM
Picture

About Us

Foundation
Our Team
News

Mission

Scholarship
​Next Gen

Support

Contact
Donate
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.