Fellow in Focus: Paula Adams
Discover what key skills and knowledge Paula Adams took away from the White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship.
Paula Adams, the executive director and a founding member of the Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, has been dedicated to mental health, public health, and education since completing her graduate studies. With a rich history of involvement in various nonprofits, she has taken on multiple roles and is an active participant in diverse advocacy groups. Paula Adams is a White-Riley-Peterson fellow and serves as the Hawaii afterschool ambassador. She earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her spare time, Paula Adams enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.
Being nominated for the White-Riley-Peterson (WRP) Policy Fellowship was an honor. It also provided me with the tools needed to create the Hawaii Afterschool Network. The fellowship opened my eyes to the challenges and incredible opportunities that a network can bring to the afterschool and summer learning field.
Some key takeaways from the fellowship include:
- Resource and Funding Awareness
When I began the fellowship, I wasn’t even aware of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). At the time, more than 10 years ago, the largest afterschool program in Hawaii was the A+ afterschool program, funded by the state budget and parent fees. 21st CCLC funding was only accessible to schools and the school district—not community-based organizations (CBOs). Thanks to the advocacy of the network, CBOs now have access to this funding. - Policy’s Many Facets
I gained a deeper understanding of how bills become laws and how our voices can advocate for the children, youth, and families of Hawaii. I also learned that policies—whether federal, state, or local—can transform lives. Even policies with a “small p,” such as those within the Board of Education or state agencies, require advocacy and coalition-building to succeed. - Quality Counts
The fellowship underscored the importance of high-quality afterschool programs. Such programs have a profound impact on the populations they serve, which strengthened my commitment to supporting quality initiatives. - The Power of Communication
I learned to be an effective communicator—how to share clear, grounded, and compelling messages that resonate with the intended audience. - The Emotional Value of a Network
Through the fellowship, I experienced the profound beauty of connecting like-minded individuals to support youth and families.
Bringing these insights and skills together, I embarked on my fellowship project to create the Hawaii Afterschool Network. Ten years later, the network has grown with the support of WRP fellows and statewide afterschool networks. Being part of this “network of networks” has been a unique experience, allowing us to learn, share, connect, and build community. I am incredibly grateful to the WRP Fellowship for introducing me to this invaluable world.
The White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.