HCAP Weekly August 22, 2016

In this week’s issue:

Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program Featured in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
STEM Students Design and Create Boxcar Derby Cars
Youth Services Students Explore Different Cultures
HCAP Benefits from Partnership with AmeriCorps
Ohana 100 and HCAP Head Start Work Together to Build Champions for Reading
Open House Provides an Opportunity for Children and Families to Meet Teachers
Tax Assistance Program Seeks Volunteers for 2017 Tax Season

Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program Featured in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

This week, the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program was featured in an article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The article, titled “Hands-on learning bolsters students’ STEM expertise” talked about the program’s unique offerings and shared quotes from students and a parent from the Waiahole STEM Exploration Center. The story may be viewed at http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/hands-on-learning-bolsters-students-stem-expertise/

STEM Students Design and Create Boxcar Derby Cars

This week at the Kalihi-Palama STEM Exploration Center, Mr. Keith the Boxcar Derby game master made a special guest appearance. Over the course of the previous week, students transferred their skills and understanding from the force and motion physics topics into producing blueprints for their boxcar derby cars. A variety of sleek, aerodynamic, and stylish shapes were designed and cut from 2×6 blocks of wood by Mr. Keith in his portable workshop. Participants also engaged in some hands-on woodworking as they sanded imperfections from the rough-cut wood, added designs, and inserted special lead weights at optimum locations in their car to produce maximum speed. Students are looking forward to the big Boxcar Derby race that will happen in September.

Youth Services Students Explore Different Cultures

This month, HCAP Youth Services C-Base students were tasked to explore different cultures. Each student chose a country and did research on the form of government, laws, clothing, food, culture, etc. and created a presentation board. Students also gave an oral presentation to their peers.

HCAP Benefits from Partnership with AmeriCorps

For the past three years, HCAP has been fortunate to have partnered with the AmeriCorps VISTA program. It has been a greatly rewarding experience for the agency, its programs, and VISTA volunteers.

This month, HCAP said goodbye to two AmeriCorps VISTA members, Terah and Marie, who spent a year volunteering with the Communications Department and Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, respectively. We would like to thank Terah and Marie for their hard work and dedication over the past year! Their efforts have been invaluable.

HCAP also welcomes three new members to the HCAP ohana.

Molly is working with the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program. Molly graduated in May of this year with two Bachelor degrees in Forensic Sciences and Psychology from Mount Ida College in Massachusetts. Previously, she lived in Maryland where she trained junior volunteers at her community Fire Department. While at college, Molly worked as a Social Justice Coordinator and developed skills to recruit members and develop educational, fun programming on campus. She hopes to use her experiences to help HCAP develop sustainable volunteer recruitment for the Hā Initiative.

Ana will be working with the Planning, Program Development, and Communications department. Ana has worked in journalism, marketing and broadcasting in Atlanta, New York, and now Honolulu. She graduated from Georgia State University with an undergraduate degree in Marketing, but her passion lies in creating safe spaces for art and expression within communities. Ana has been published in Creative Loafing Atlanta and BUST Magazine, where she learned the importance of research, fact-checking, wording, and presentation. During Ana’s year of service, she hopes to become inspired by the majesty of Hawaii, create a portfolio for grad school, spruce-up HCAP’s promotional materials and inspire others to serve their communities.

Deborah is working at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. She grew up on the East Coast in Connecticut. Deborah graduated from Roger Williams University this past May. She earned a Bachelor of Science, graduating with a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science. Through her past experiences and studies she has attained a wide range of skills in policy planning, critical thinking, and community development, and intends to use these skills to add to the continuing success and growth of the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. Through her work with low-income families in Providence, Rhode Island, she has seen and aided community members in fighting against poverty and plans to continue that fight here by working toward further developing systems at Kumuhonua to achieve long-term success for residents.

Ohana 100 and HCAP Head Start Work Together to Build Champions for Reading

Nanakuli Head Start would like to thank Ohana 100 for their partnership and support in building champions for reading. Each child received a wonderful book to take home and share with their family. The children, families and staff love Ohana 100 and the great reading experiences that were brought to the children in the classroom!

Open House Provides an Opportunity for Children and Families to Meet Teachers

Queen Kaahumanu Head Start held their 2016-2017 Open House on Thursday, August 18, 2016. The school’s principal introduced the HCAP Head Start staff to the families and students. Several Head Start parents attended the open house and visited the classroom for a talk story session. Kaely and her family utilized the time to create a game in the art center. Her dad cut out different parts of a face and had her place the parts on the face he drew, with her eyes closed. Makoa and his brother became master chefs in the home center creating a cheese omelet for their mom. All in all it was a lovely evening and great way to start the school year.

Tax Assistance Program Seeks Volunteers for 2017 Tax Season

In 2017, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs across the nation will be using new tax preparation software. Reiko Su’a, a Community Worker at the Windward District Service Center and Deb Warman, the Community Services Manager, are attending a webinar training series on the new Taxslayer software. The webinar covers everything from setting up the templates to submitting the returns. As part of HCAP’s partnership with the IRS and Hawaii Tax Help & Financial Empowerment Solutions, we are looking for volunteers to assist clients with their tax preparation. Training will begin in December for staff and anyone interested in volunteering at our 5 District Service Centers and the HCAP Main Office, will begin the first week of February, 2017. Please contact Deb Warman at 808-239-5754.