A Waipahu-based prison ministry that helps former prisoners transition back into society is looking to raise $50,000 in the next week from selling tickets to the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.

Victory 'Ohana hopes to sell 5,000 tickets to help purchase 60 much-needed mattresses and a work vehicle, compensate its volunteer employees and pay the rent for its four buildings on Pupu'ole Street. Half of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the organization.

"We definitely struggle," said founder Gary Shields. "We don't own our buildings."

Shields, a 50-year-old pastor at Tree of Life Christian Center, started Victory 'Ohana 17 years ago after struggling with, and finally overcoming, a personal drug addiction.

Today Victory 'Ohana is licensed under the state Department of Health and has a 30 percent recidivism rate, or a 70 percent success rate, according to Shields. It has served more than 5,000 adults and encouraged several to become pastors.

Shields estimates the annual operating budget to be around $480,000, not including salaries for 20 staff members who are compensated with room and board. Right now, Victory 'Ohana can only afford to pay its program director and offer its chaplain a small stipend.

"If we can get to the point where we can pay people, I can tell you that'll be a good feeling," Shields said.

The faith-based program has 150 beds — 126 for men, 24 for women — and relies on second-hand donations. One of the biggest problems has been dealing with bed bug infestations that sometimes spread from the donated mattresses.

Besides helping people who have been released from prison, Victory 'Ohana also reaches out to other individuals with criminal histories and the homeless, involving them in relapse prevention, cognitive skills workshops and weekly community service projects.

Participants also share their experiences with kids through DARE Hawaii and the Honolulu Police Department's Akamai Youth Project.

Hula Bowl owner and CEO Nick Logan said the Hula Bowl wants to help more local organizations with their fundraising efforts.

"(Organizations like Victory 'Ohana are) one of those things you often don't get a chance to see," he said. "If there's a way we can reach out, it's important to do."

Shields is confident that Victory 'Ohana will continue to operate with community support.

"When you deal with issues that affect society as a whole, it really takes everyone working together," he said.

"One way or another, we're all affected by it."

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