Congratulations to Wendy Botelho, the Island of Hawai’i YMCA CEO and Hilo Y’s Men and Women’s Club member, for winning the 2022 Star Advocate for the State of Hawaii at the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence annual conference. The Coalition shared that this is the first time ever that a neighbor-island nominee has been given the Star Advocate award.

The Coalition was impressed by Wendy’s accomplishments, shared a video at the conference about her achievements and Her goal of helping one survivor at a time. Highlights included the Youth Program, Fitness Classes and the Family Visitation Center. They also recognized her accomplishments of overcoming challenges that the YMCA has faced in FY 2021-2022.

Wendy believes the YMCA is a place for survivors to begin their healing process of feeling normal and safe.