Meet Ariel Halemano, YWCA’s new SASS Therapist

Ariel Halemano joined the YWCA ohana in June 2022, in the dual role of Sexual Assault Support Services therapist and children’s therapist for YWCA Preschool. She joins Roxie Tubbs, who has been with YWCA for 25 years, and Stephanie Bates, our SASS therapist in Kona.

Born in Hilo, Ariel was raised by her mother and two aunties, whom she calls “three of the strongest women I know.” She added, “it feels very fitting to be a part of YWCA of Hawaii Island, an organization that uplifts and empowers all Hawaii Island women to find their strength and persevere. I would like to share the motto I was raised on: ‘aloha kekahi i kekahi,’ which means to love and care for one another. I had this saying tattooed on my forearm along with the two aunties that helped my mom raise me. It has been my daily reminder to keep aloha in my heart (both for myself and for others) despite the hardships that life presents: trauma, COVID-19, racism, discrimination, etc. I want to instill that same fire and passion in my clients today so that they emerge strong, resilient, and emotionally intelligent.”

Bonus news: Well before she graduated from St. Francis University in Loretto, PA (B.S., major in psychology, minor in neuroscience) and went on to receive her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from UH Hilo, Ariel attended our own YWCA preschool!

Welcome (back), Ariel!