HCAP WEEKLY August 18, 2025

Head Start’s Exciting Beginning of the School Year!

Our Head Start children are filled with excitement and creativity as they engage in their daily classroom routine. As they learn through music, dance, and imaginative play, they are building friendships, learning to effectively communicate with others and regulate new emotions. From painting and building to singing and moving together during large group time, the children are developing their fine motor, gross motor and interpersonal skills through meaningful connections and engaging educational activities.

Teachers across the program create safe and vibrant classrooms where children’s imagination, physical development, and social connection come together to nurture the whole child. The first several weeks of school help to set expectations for a school year filled with fun, growth and learning!

Click here to learn more about Head Start.

Leahi ECS Client Receives Tuition Assistance for Dental Assistant Certification

Kimberly visited the HCAP Leahi District Service Center in search of help with her employment goals, and from there, Leahi District staff enrolled her in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) program. She completed job readiness training at the Salvation Army Manoa campus. With a case manager at HCAP’s Leahi District, she assessed her goals, which included vocational training to become a Dental Assistant.

ECS provided Kimberly with the tuition assistance needed to be able to bring her goal to fruition. Previously, Kimberly had already applied to a Dental Assisting certification program and was awaiting an acceptance notice. She received great news and updated Leahi District staff on getting into the program. Today, Kimberly has completed her certification and even began her role as a Dental Assistant at a dental office. As a Dental Assistant, Kimberly shared that she works on a variety of procedures, including creating impressions and temporary crowns for patients who are preparing for permanent crowns.

The Leahi District Service Center wishes Kimberly all the best in all her endeavors.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.

HCAP Attends O’ahu Renters Resource Fair

At the O’ahu Renters Resource Fair hosted by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and The City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization (OER), HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS), and Head Start programs conducted outreach, taking place at the Key Project Multipurpose Center. HCAP’s different programs shared information about their respective services and programs to the Windward community and other resource providers.

The WAP team informed many homeowners and renters about home energy audit services that weatherization offers, which help identify ways to reduce utility usage or identify appliances that may be eligible for free replacements. Residents with multigenerational households were especially interested because Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatic qualifiers for the WAP home energy program.

The ECS team shared their services for employment searching and job readiness training, including benefits such as tuition assistance for vocational training programs and HOLO cards for job searchers. HCAP staff had the opportunity to engage with other agencies and organizations that similarly supported workforce development to learn about possible gaps and brainstorm ways to support the community together.

HCAP’s Head Start Program received many visits from young families, grandparents, and expecting parents. The program serves those ranging from prenatal and pregnant women to children up to age 5. Many young parents learned about the Early Head Start Program that enrolls ages 0-3 and offers prenatal services to expectant mothers.

At the community-centered event, 400 back-to-school backpacks were distributed to keiki and a wide variety of delicious food was provided for everyone present. HCAP extends a special thank you to the location hosts, Key Project, who regularly host local resource events throughout the year; the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement; and The City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization for such a special event and for supporting O’ahu families across the island. 

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s programs and services.