North Shore NewsMajor Dave Benson, formerly of the Honolulu Police Department, watched his son Bobby go deeper and deeper into drugs and despondency while well-meaning friends and professionals told him, “He’ll grow out of it.” Bobby didn’t. At the age of 15, he took his life. Major Benson took tragedy and turned it into hope for thousands of youth in Hawaii by creating a safe and therapeutic space for them to get help.
Established in 1990, The Bobby Benson Center has been a place of safety and refuge for youth throughout the state. The mission of The Bobby Benson Center is to serve individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring disorders in Hawaii, employing best practice through a continuum of care services. Our vision is to connect, empower and transform lives. Giving individuals the knowledge and skills needed to reach their highest potential.
The Bobby Benson Center understands that addiction is a disease and any destructive behavior can be changed. Recovery is possible! All Bobby Benson Center staff, are trauma-informed and have experience in the field.
The Bobby Benson Center in addition to offering residential treatment services for adolescents (13 to 17 years old) Bobby Benson Center officially opened up Continuum of Care Services (which includes Intensive Outpatient and Out Patient services) for adolescents and adults in October 2021.
Bobby Benson Center Residential offers diverse outing activities, engaging school services, cultural and therapeutic activities that empower the youth. With our structured schedule the youth are able to grow physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually. Outings to the beach, movies, ice skating, and other activities will help the youth learn to have fun in safe and healthy ways.
Continuum of Care Service at Bobby Benson Center offers all the support you would get in Bobby Benson Center Residential Program except you would continue to live at home. Service include but are not limited to: Outreach, Screening/Assessments, Placement Determination, Individual & Group Counseling, Anger Management, Motivational Enhancement, Cultural Discovery, Substance Abuse Counseling, Therapeutic Recreational Outings, Life Skills/Skills Building, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Relapse Prevention.
If you or someone you love is suffering from substance use or co-occurring disorders please reach out to us for help at Phone: (808) 293-7555. If you wish to support our efforts you can donate gently used clothing, hygiene products or money via checks to the Bobby Benson Center 56-660 Kamehameha Hwy; Kahuku, HI 96731.