OUR STORY

Honoring a legacy of compassion, courage, and community.

A lifelong civil rights advocate, Jewel played a pivotal role in the movement to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state holiday in Hawaiʻi and spent more than two decades helping coordinate the annual MLK Unity Rally and parade. As the founder of the African American Association of Hawaiʻi, she worked tirelessly to bring people together across cultures, generations, and identities, always leading with dignity and purpose.

Beyond her advocacy, Jewel was a builder. She opened and successfully operated a beauty supply store for many years, worked in education and community programs, and devoted herself to mentoring women, supporting families, and creating spaces where people felt seen, valued, and empowered. Her leadership was never performative — it was rooted in action, generosity, and an unshakable belief in equity for all.

Jewel was also a devoted mother and grandmother, balancing community leadership with deep love for her family. Her life stood as proof that strength and compassion can coexist, and that true legacy is measured not by recognition, but by lives changed.

Jewel House exists today because of her example. Every program, every initiative, and every woman served carries her spirit forward — a spirit grounded in service, resilience, and the belief that giving is one of the purest forms of leadership.

A Legacy Rooted in Strength, Service, and Love

Jewel House was founded in loving memory of Jewel McDonald, a woman whose life embodied courage, compassion, and unwavering service to others. Born on January 15, 1946, in Jackson, Mississippi, and later making Hawaiʻi her home, Jewel dedicated her life to advancing justice, uplifting communities, and creating opportunities for those too often left unheard.

We strive to create meaningful change through programs that restore dignity, inspire hope, and empower individuals to rebuild their lives.

Our mission is to:

Empower those who have been overlooked — from incarcerated men and women to youth and homeless seniors — by offering education, opportunity, and compassion.

Rehabilitate through purpose-driven programs that open doors to personal growth, healing, and new beginnings.

Build community by bringing people together in service, celebration, and giving — ensuring every person feels seen, valued, and supported.

Honor a legacy of unconditional selflessness by continuing the work of a mother who gave everything to help others rise.

Together, we believe in the power of giving — not just as an act, but as a way of life.

OUR PURPOSE AND PROMISE

“Jewel House is more than an organization. It’s proof that love can be passed from one generation to the next — and still change lives today.”

-KIM ALSTON

After her mother’s passing in 2016, Kimberly Alston committed her life to carrying forward a legacy rooted in service, faith, and community. What began as honoring her mother’s example has grown into a lifelong calling centered on empowering others and creating lasting change.

Kimberly is a multifaceted leader with decades of experience in education, community advocacy, and civic engagement. For over seven years, she has served as Vice President of the NAACP Honolulu Branch, where she continues to advocate for equity, justice, and opportunity. She is also the Director of Project N.A.M., a program focused on empowerment and personal growth for incarcerated men and women within Hawai‘i’s correctional system.

Her professional journey includes 15 years as a teacher and nine years as a director, where she developed a strong foundation in mentorship, leadership, and community building. Kimberly is also the Founder and President of the Jewel McDonald Foundation House for Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and hope to women navigating life’s challenges.

In addition to her advocacy work, Kimberly has served the City and County of Honolulu as a bus operator for over 24 years, remaining closely connected to the people and communities she serves every day. She is also an active member of the Hickam Pearl Harbor Rotary Club, contributing to both local and global service initiatives.

Through Jewel House, Kimberly has expanded her vision into impactful community programs, including reentry and empowerment classes within Hawai‘i’s correctional system and large-scale relief efforts for families affected by the Maui fires. Her work reflects a deep belief that if she has touched one life, she has touched a million—and that her calling is still unfolding.

As a single mother of two, Kimberly’s purpose is grounded not only in service, but in legacy. Guided by faith and fueled by love for her family and community, God, family, and work remain her formula for life.

Kimberly’s journey is proof that legacy is not something you leave behind—it is something you live forward. Through every project, Jewel House continues to turn love into action and memory into movement.