MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe (from left), Chief Fiscal Officer Wil Torricer, and Transportation Director Patty Copperfield, pose with The Promise of Community Action Award and NCAP CEO Denise Harlow and NCAP Board Chair Dalitso Sulamoyo. Photo courtesy MEO

Maui Economic Opportunity was recently honored with a national award for its work in the immediate aftermath of and during the recovery from the 2023 Maui wildfires.

According to MEO, it was one of five organizations and individuals honored Thursday at the NCAP gala in Detroit, Michigan.

In presenting the award, Denise Harlow, NCAP CEO, applauded how MEO brought funds directly into the community from foundations and private donors to assist in the recovery. MEO also partnered with landlords on housing for families.

Harlow, who had observed MEO’s work firsthand during an in-person visit, noted that MEO has infused $30 million into the community to assist in the recovery.

MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe was joined on stage by Transportation Director Patty Copperfield and Chief Fiscal Officer Wil Torricer while accepting the award.

In the immediate aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, MEO joined a caravan transporting visitors and residents out of the west side, helped arrange Airbnbs for thousands of displaced residents in shelters, hosted the Mexican and Chilean consulates on document recovery.

By November, MEO was operating the National Dislocated Worker Disaster Recovery Program that employed 300 survivors in 50 host sites performing recovery work and the Maui Relief TANF Program that has provided recovery assistance to 6,500 households.

By the end of 2023, MEO’s Business Development Center was distributing short-term recovery grants to 700 small businesses.

“At MEO, we understand that success is achieved through constant effort, resilience in the face of setbacks and refusal to give up, highlighting the power of tenacity and achieving goals,” Cabebe said. “The staff and the board truly live The Promise of Community Action.”