HONOLULU (KHON2) — Local activist and storyteller Keʻōpū Reelitz will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in an impactful event aimed at spotlighting the often-overlooked work of caregiving.
The event, titled Caring Out Loud: True Stories About Caregiving, will take place on Friday, Sept. 13. It will begin at 6 p.m. EST (12 p.m. HST) at the MLK Library Auditorium.
It will also be live streamed at 12 p.m. HST in order to allow participants from across the U.S. to join in.
Caring Out Loud is designed to bring attention to the vital but frequently undervalued role of caregiving in our society.
The evening will feature powerful personal stories from caregivers, including Reelitz, who are seeking to highlight the struggles and triumphs faced by working families in a challenging system.
Reelitz expressed her hope that sharing her story would connect Hawaiʻi to the broader movement for paid family leave and other supportive policies.
“Stories—in Hawaiʻi and beyond—connect us to each other as well as to our communities and places,” she said. “While my broader hope is that sharing our stories connects Hawaiʻi to the bigger movement for paid leave, I also hope that it helps other parents and caregivers here in our islands know they are not alone and that their stories matter.”
The event will feature a diverse lineup of storytellers; each one will be sharing unique perspectives on caregiving challenges.
Attendees will hear from:
Iletha Joynes.
Jennifer Morales.
Keʻōpū Reelitz.
Kris Garcia.
Preston Van Vliet.
Rhonda Wilson.
Tony Iovieno.
The stories will cover various scenarios, including a couple deciding who should return to work after their baby’s birth, a new mother balancing work and childcare, a parent managing emergency care for an adult child severely affected by COVID-19 and a worker who chose family over a promotion during a time of loss.
The Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, a local non-profit that advocates for better policies such as paid family leave and childcare, made Reelitz’s participation possible.
To participate, click here. To learn more about Keʻōpū Reelitz, including her biography, click here.
The organizers anticipate a strong turnout at the MLK Library Auditorium, with many more joining via live-streaming and watch parties nationwide.