H.O.W.A. Family Center

The H.O.W.A. Family Center is a family-friendly program which supports and enhances individuals of all ages. H.O.W.A. works to create positive changes for families in the program areas of child/teen development, parent education/leadership, student success, mentoring and community collaboration focused on family support.

Our family center serves four area communities—Hackensack, Onigum, Walker and Akeley. We intentionally used the acronym “HOWA,” which spells out a word in the Ojibwe language; this was done not only as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Ojibwe in our area, but also as an acknowledgement that a large portion of the communities in which we serve identify as part of that culture.HOWA is an Ojibwe word that indicates praise or amazement— it is like saying “Good job!” or “Wow!” This fits nicely with our organization’s vision— that all families in our communities will have the resources needed to thrive—and as a family center we want to provide the support and encouragement to help make this a reality!

HOWA's mission is "Enriching lives through mentoring for children, families and communities!"