About Us

Get to know the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui

The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui (FCJC) is a private, non-profit corporation, founded in 1989 by a non-partisan group of community and business leaders concerned with the social welfare of children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and severe neglect.

In the past year the FCJC has:
• Provided funding for direct services to more than 900 children
• Delivered over 2,000 children’s Christmas gifts
• Distributed our annual 20-page prevention newspaper supplement to more than 24,000 households
• Informed 3,000 readers through two newsletter publications
• Reached 8,000 children and parents through community events
• Educated 500 new parents through Shaken Baby DVD distribution

We receive no Federal, State or County funding. Our funding comes from the Bradley and Victoria Geist Foundation, the Teresa Hughes Trust, Hyundai Championship Golf Tournament and companies and individuals through several fundraisers during the year. And we do all of this with one paid staff person and many dedicated volunteers. We invite you to learn more about us and to help us through a tax deductible donation.

Our Three Part Mission

To provide assistance to abused and neglected children in Maui County.
We do this by receiving requests from over 25 social services agencies and other professions for services or items that will help with the healing of the child. These services could be for education or tutoring, counseling, medical, transportation, social activities, sports activities, after-school programs, self-esteem issues, school needs and everything in between.

Promote prevention of child abuse and neglect.
We accomplish this task by creating and distributing a 20-page supplement in the Maui News about child abuse and neglect prevention; by producing and distributing DVD’s on “Mandated Reporting” and “Shaken Baby Syndrome”; by participating in several community-wide forums such as “Keiki Fest”; by distributing two newsletters annually; and by participating in the 2009 PREVENT Institute, the Ho’oikaika Partners prevention committee, the Hanai Coalition for foster children and the Hawaii Childrens Trust Fund Prevention Campaign.

To support the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.
The CJC is part of the State Judiciary, and is the safe and nurturing facility where suspected victims of child sexual abuse and extreme physical abuse are brought for an interview and possible forensic examination. We provide funds for training of the police and social workers who are involved in those interviews; snacks for the children being interviewed; snacks for the meeting participants; stuffed toys for the children; and support supplies for the office.

Board of Directors

The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center Board of Directors is group of volunteers made up of Maui community and business leaders.

Mahalo for their efforts and hard work.

President Sheila Haynes Vice President Cindy Sawyer Treasurer Jennifer Schoeppner Secretary Fern Marie Markgraf Directors Jennifer Bastian Schettewi Debbie Cabebe William G. (Bill) Kepler, M.D. Felicitas B. Livaudais MD Honorable E. John McConnell Cindy Sawyer Tiffany Smith–Hu’eu Davelynn Tengan Tobie S. Uedoi Melinda Vaught Matson Kelley Nancy Leis Overton Brett Dolan Dennis Ducatt Matson Kelly	Emeritus Dr. Al Arensdorf Lee Hoxie Honorary Dean Kimo Frampton Maureen Marrs Betty Leis Anne Leuteneker Mary Reppun Royle Taogoshi Executive Director Paul Tonnessen Volunteers Amy Sprung Jody Singsank Linda Unemori Sharon Woodall

Executive Director

Paul Tonnesen

paul-tonnessen-02 Paul as been involved working with and for non-profits since the 80’s and his passion has and always will be reaching out to those in need. After moving to Maui in 2001, Paul was asked to join the Board of the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center. Having been subjected to violence and abuse as a child, he was more than happy to say yes. Little did Paul know at that time that he would be joining one of the best Boards on Maui, and one that would change his life.

Paul volunteered for years with the Boston St. Francis Homeless Shelter’s STEP program helping to transition homeless people into housing, recovery programs and employment – even employing some of them himself. Upon selling his business in Boston he was fortunate enough to be able to travel around the U.S. being instrumental in putting on major AIDS walks, a half marathon for Police Officers killed in the line of duty in Boston, among many other events.

He also worked with Maui Aids as their event coordinator and played a key role for all the logistics and donations to put together a five island bike ride that helped raise much needed funds to assist the people infected and affected by AIDS here on the Islands. Paul believes that all the knowledge and experience that he has gained can only be an asset to the Friends in his new position.

When Paul had to temporally leave Maui due to having to care for an ill relative on the mainland, the first thing he did was join a Board (Olive Crest) whose mission was pretty much the same as the Friends.

Upon Paul’s return to Maui in 2008, and while working in the retail jewelry arena, he was honored when asked to rejoin the Friends Board. Being given the position of Executive Director is the perfect opportunity for him to continue to reach out to children in need in Maui County.

Paul is a firm believer that in life you need to give to be able to receive. “Rosemary Blair built us a foundation, Randy Echito built the home and now I have the privilege to build the addition as the agency continues to grow. I am looking forward to carrying on the amazing legacy Randy has created and continue to place the safety and welfare of the children of Maui County as my first priority”, said Tonnessen.

Recent News

Friends Publish Annual Report 2017-18April 8, 2019 - 8:58 pm
Broken Children Become Broken AdultsMay 9, 2017 - 9:51 am
Ms. Hawaii Joins Forces to Prevent Child Abuse in Maui CountyJanuary 23, 2016 - 6:11 am
Nancy Cross and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions HonoredJanuary 22, 2016 - 6:08 pm
FCJCM Releases New Mandated Reporting FilmJanuary 22, 2016 - 6:05 pm
New Computer Center at Hui MalamaJanuary 22, 2016 - 5:54 pm