HCAP WEEKLY April 10, 2023

Kumuhonua Participant Transitions to Permanent Housing

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC) would like to congratulate program participant Maria, who secured permanent housing this week. Maria started her journey at KTLC in October 2022. Since then, she has been working hard to stay on track toward self-sufficiency. With the help of her KTLC Case Manager and partners at the Institute for Human Services, Maria was able to access the resources she needed to transition into a home of her own by April 2023. Staff assisted Maria with obtaining her Section 8 voucher, deposit assistance to secure her housing, and all of the necessary paperwork to complete the process. 

Maria is thankful for all of the support she received, and KTLC staff wish Maria luck in this new chapter of her life.

Click Here to learn more about Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.

HCC Student Shadows Kalihi-Palama District Staff

At Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, college student Gracia Marsono is making a difference in her community while working toward her degree. Gracia was born in Guam and raised in Hawaiʻi. She is currently a student at Honolulu Community College studying Human Services and Social Work.

To fulfill the requirements of her degree program, Gracia chose to complete her practicum hours at HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center. After spending her first year with HCAP, Gracia returned over the summer in a temporary position assisting with the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. She is now back at Kalihi-Palama District Service Center for her second year.

Working alongside Kalihi-Palama staff gives Gracia the hands-on experience delivering services in the local community that she needs to begin her career. Her work includes assisting clients with appointments and applications, directing them to available resources, and answering questions about HCAP programs and services. Gracia has also completed tax preparation assistance training, assisted with Adopt a Family and Toys for Tots over the holidays, and worked with Laumaka work furlough program participants through Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services. 

Gracia says that her mission is to help those in her community and to show her kids, “If mommy can do it, they can too.” 

Click Here to learn more about HCAP programs and services.

Up, Up, and Away with Wahiawa UMC Head Start

This week, the Head Start keiki at Wahiawa UMC participated in an outdoor parachute activity. Each child selected a handle connected to the parachute and held on tightly, while they engaged their gross motor skills to lift it up and down. While taking a break, the children identified the various colors and quantities of each color seen on the parachute. The keiki also made connections to items within their surroundings that were of the same colors.

Click Here for more information about Head Start & Early Head Start.