By Chanelle Ramiro, Youth Educator and Regina Shiroma, Research Assistant
Biba Åñu Nuebu from the Pacific Islands! In December, WestCare Pacific Islands (WPI) was honored to host our President, Richard Steinberg, and CEO, Ken Ortbals, on a whirlwind visit to the islands. Their much-anticipated visit allowed our teams to get to know our executive leadership, showcase our Håfa Adai spirit, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in Guam, Saipan, and the Republic of Palau.
From each island visit, community partners and cultural leaders voiced the needs of individual populations and shared their hopes for the coming year. Inspired by gaps in services on our sister islands, WPI looks to strengthen ties within the Micronesian region and forge new relationships that aim to fill those needs aligned with our mission. Guided by the unique cultures of each community at the center of what we do, collaboration is critical to the success of any partnership – and this language of cooperation is a familiar one embedded in our culture of inafa’maolek, or interdependence.
As we ring in the new year, WPI is grateful for and proud of the partnerships, support, and inafa’maolek culture shared by its staff, local organizations, and people of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of Palau. We look forward to 2023 as we share growth and renew partnerships by working together to Uplift the Human Spirit!
Caption for Photo 1: WPI’s SSVF Veteran Advocate, Lorenzo Reyes, points to the supplies in the food pantry program to supplement the ancillary needs of Veterans served.
Caption for Photo 2: WestCare CEO and President pay a courtesy visit to the Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. (center) and Olbiil Era Kelulau (Palau National Congress) Senator Rukebai Kikuo Inabo (left). They are joined by the WPI team.
Caption for Photo 3: WestCare CEO and President pay a courtesy visit to the CNMI Judiciary team. They are joined by the WPI team.
