Coming together to fulfill Our Mission of:
Helping People In Need Regain & Sustain Their Independence
Coming together to fulfill Our Mission of:
Our Work
Supporting Houseless Communities
We have helped houseless communities all over Oahu. Our approach is simple, we treat each individual with care and respect, asking them what they need and we get them exactly that. This includes items ranging from hygiene products, camping gear (tents, tarps, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, etc.), shoes and clothing to hot meals, groceries, cooking equipment, blankets and bibles. We have assisted with helping people find treatment centers, housing and reuniting them with family.
Preventing Houselessness
We are completely aware of the substantial uprise in houselessness, therefore we place intentional focus on being proactive to prevent houselessness by providing financial assistance for essentials such as rent, utilities, communication (cellphone & internet), childcare, children's needs, household products, transportation (gas & bus passes) and other expenses. Join us in our endeavor to keep people in their homes where they belong and Waking Up Smiling.
Mindset Coaching
Mindset Coaching
We know that lasting change begins in the mind. Our lives are shaped by our thoughts, and many women we serve have faced hardship, trauma, and instability that influence how they see themselves and their future.
Our Mindset Coaching program helps women renew their thinking, rediscover their worth, and step into a life of hope and purpose. Through group and one-on-one mentorship, we focus on building confidence, strengthening decision-making, creating healthy routines, and developing resilience.
This is more than encouragement—it’s transformation. When a woman believes she can rebuild her life, she does.
Donate to Waking Up Smiling
Join us in empowering individuals and communities through your generosity. Your donation will help us bring about positive change in our community and together we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.
The Waking Up Smiling Story
A Little Bit of History
My name is Donna Lynn Rodriguez, and I am the CEO and Founder of Waking Up Smiling, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2015, formerly known as God’s Tithing Foundation.
My passion for this work comes from lived experience. Years ago, I struggled with drugs and alcohol and found myself houseless on the streets of Waikiki—without stability, direction, or hope. I remember feeling invisible, lost, and completely disconnected from who I was meant to be.
What I’ve come to understand is this: our lives are shaped by our thoughts. Before my circumstances changed, my thinking had to change. That transformation—from hopelessness to purpose—became the foundation of everything we do today.
At Waking Up Smiling, we don’t just meet immediate needs—we help rebuild lives from the inside out. Through mindset coaching, mentorship, and essential support like rent, utilities, food, and transportation, we equip individuals and families with both the resources and the renewed thinking needed to move forward with confidence and stability.
Today, well over a decade later, my life is restored, my faith is strong, and my purpose is clear: to help others shift their mindset, rebuild their lives, and step into a future where they are truly waking up smiling.