HCAP Weekly September 7, 2015

In this week’s issue:

GO! READ Ohana 100 Continues to Promote Literacy at HCAP Head Start
Employment Core Services Participant Reaches New Milestone
LIHEAP Emergency Crisis Intervention Continues Accepting Applications
Head Start Alumni Wins Prestigious Award
Volunteers Give Time and Gain Work Experience
HCAP Listed in Hawaii Business Magazine’s Top 250

GO! READ Ohana 100 Continues to Promote Literacy at HCAP Head Start

GO! READ Ohana 100 celebrated National Literacy Month with an award presentation on September 7,2015 at Capitol Place, recognizing recipient schools and organizations. As a recipient, HCAP Head Start was recognized for promoting literacy to young children and families. Ohana 100, spearheaded by David and Elizabeth Mattson, will be distributing free books to children (to keep and take home) throughout the month. With the assistance of Senator Daniel Akaka (David’s Grandpa), they are distributing books to our Head Start children at Aiea, Dole, He’eia, Ka’imiloa, Palolo, Pauoa, Pohakea, Puuhale, Nanakuli, Wahiawa, and Waimanalo classrooms.

Mahalo to GO! READ Ohana 100 for taking the time to read with our children and for donating books they can call their own!

Employment Core Services Participant Reaches New Milestone

The Leahi District Service Center staff offers job readiness training to the Salvation Army ARC program participants through HCAP’s Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program. At the ARC, Michael met Community Worker Cameo, who assisted him to develop valuable employment skills. Michael received employment training that focused on career goals, resume writing, and job interviewing skills. With all his hard work and the skills he obtained through Na Lima Hana, Michael obtained full-time employment with Honda Windward as a Lot Technician. Not only did he find employment, but he has also reached a program milestone of 60 days of employment. HCAP would like to congratulate Michael on his achievement and we look forward to him reaching the next program milestone of 90 days of employment.

LIHEAP Emergency Crisis Intervention Continues Accepting Applications

HCAP’s District Service Centers are still taking applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI) portion of the program. Families and individuals who have received a final notice of disconnection for their utility bill can apply for up to $350 to avoid termination of their electric or gas services. Credit may be applied to accounts on the same day an application is filled, as long as all the required documents and steps are completed. Those who are interested and did not apply for the LIHEAP credit in June should contact the District Service Center closest to them to schedule an appointment (Leeward, Central, Kalihi-Palama, Leahi, Windward).

HCAP’s District Service Centers have assisted 107 households avoid termination of their electric service through the ECI program in the 2014-2015 program year. In addition, each household is assisted with case management services to help identify areas of need, such as budgeting solutions and providing information on energy conservation.

Head Start Alumni Wins Prestigious Award

Jaydene, a Head Start Assistant Teacher recently shared this story about her son, Chevie, who is former Head Start student. Chevie entered his photo of his little sister sitting on the porch of their Kunia Village home. He titled his photo “Hardships,” which won a Gold Medal in the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Chevie’s photo will be displayed for the entire year at the U.S. DOE building in the nation’s capitol. We would like to congratulate our Head Start alumni on receiving this prestigious award.

Volunteers Give Time and Gain Work Experience

Volunteers provide support and much needed assistance at HCAP’s District Service Centers. At the Leeward District Service Center, as many as thirty volunteers give their time through TANF’s Welfare to Work program. Work assignments such as landscaping, janitorial, reception, and Ohana Produce Food Distribution provide a variety of jobs that prepare individuals for future employment. All volunteers enter HCAP’s Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program. They are provided with access to job-related resources. The Leeward District Service Center is thankful to all its volunteers and happy to assist them on their path to self-sufficiency.

HCAP Listed in Hawaii Business Magazine’s Top 250

HCAP is listed in the 2015 Hawaii Business Magazine Top 250 Guide to Hawaii’s Biggest Companies and Nonprofits, based on total gross sales. Nonprofits reported total annual revenue.