HCAP Weekly August 31, 2015

In this week’s issue:

SCSEP Participant Driving Towards Success
Free Nutrition Workshops Offered at Leahi District Service Center
New AmeriCorps VISTA Members Join the HCAP Ohana
Loyal Ohana Produce Volunteer Has Spent 20 Years Giving Back to the Community
Kumuhonua Staff Attend Annual US VETS Appreciation Luncheon
Head Start Students Learn about Pedestrian Safety

SCSEP Participant Driving Towards Success

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) would like to congratulate Doralene for securing unsubsidized employment at Speedishuttle, LLC. Doralene was an active SCSEP participant from June2014 to June 2015, who was initially assigned a position at the HCAP Windward District Service Center as a receptionist. Being the active senior that she is, Doralene also attends Windward Community College as a full-time student in the Hawaiian Studies program, participates in outreach work for the Windward Baptist Church R.A.M. Program, and takes care of her 6 year old grandson.

Doralene is very excited about her new full-time position at Speedishuttle, LLC. She will be transporting clients to and from the Honolulu International Airport and Waikiki Hotels. When asked how she feels about her new job, she responded: “Ironically, when I was young, I would never go to Waikiki because of the crowds, traffic, etc. And now, here I am at 60, driving in and out of Waikiki several times a day!” One of her future aspirations is to drive limousines – “I will be the Best woman driver that Speedishuttle has!”

Free Nutrition Workshops Offered at Leahi District Service Center

The Leahi District Service Center is partnering with the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Cooperative Extension Service and the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences to provide the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-ED) to Leahi District clients. Clients will receive information and demonstrations on how to prepare healthy meals, including tips on spending less and eating better on a SNAP budget.

Starting in September, the 4-week workshops will be held at the Leahi District Service Center. Not only are these workshops provided for clients, but they are open to the community.

Please join us for free nutrition education classes and learn about nutritional foods, how to plan means and shop for you and your family. Also learn how to budget and save money while shopping. These workshops will teach you about safe food preparation, storage and provide you with recipes. Complete all 4 lessons and receive a certificate and cookbook! For more info, please contact:

Leahi District Service Center
1915 Palolo Ave
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Tel: (808) 732-7755
rachely@hcapweb.org

New AmeriCorps VISTA Members Join the HCAP Ohana

This week, HCAP welcomed two new AmeriCorps VISTA Members, Marie and Terah. Marie will be working with as the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program and Terah will be working in the Planning, Program Development, and Communications Department.

Marie was born and raised in the Midwest where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and a minor in Photography. As an undergraduate student she immersed herself within the community volunteering and working at elementary schools and community centers as a Literacy Mentor. She is passionate about working in the education sector and providing kids with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Marie is looking forward to supporting the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program and creating positive learning spaces where students can explore their curiosity for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Terah grew up on the island of Maui before moving to the “big city” to attend college at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM). She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics and a certificate in Spanish. During her time at UHM, she developed skills in reporting, critical thinking, and data analysis. After graduation, she once again left her comfort zone and spent a year traveling solo in Ecuador and Peru. Now back in the islands, she is very excited to be joining HCAP’s ohana. Terah hopes to help HCAP increase its visibility in the community and give back to the place she calls home.

Loyal Ohana Produce Volunteer Has Spent 20 Years Giving Back to the Community

The Windward District Service Center held its August Ohana Produce food distribution week and served around 75 families. In order to be able to serve these families each month, HCAP relies heavily on a strong, loyal cadre of volunteers who want to give back to the community. Reverend Joseph Kalahiki has been assisting with food distributions for about 20 years. Each month, he is there to welcome each and every family and offer encouragement. His devotion to helping those in need in the community is a wonderful example of someone we can all hope to emulate.

Kumuhonua Staff Attend Annual US VETS Appreciation Luncheon

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center was invited to attend the annual US VETS appreciation luncheon at the Willows on Friday, August 28, 2015 in recognition of their collaborative partnership with the ADVANCE Women’s Program. Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center houses and provides additional case management services and support to female veterans. Leah, one of the speakers at the luncheon, is a veteran, a resident at Kumuhonua, and also a participant in HCAP’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Kumuhonua staff are very proud of all the accomplishments Leah has achieved while in the collaborative program! It was an honor for HCAP and Kumuhonua to be recognized at this luncheon and to have one of their own as a keynote speaker.

Head Start Students Learn about Pedestrian Safety

HCAP Head Start children are learning about pedestrian safety. All Head Start classrooms around the island teach the children and their families about pedestrian safety to ensure that safety practices are exercised daily to and from school and out in the communities.

The Head Start 442 1&2 classrooms took a walk around their community to learn about the various street signs, traffic signals, and pedestrian safety.

Honolulu Police Department Officers Rodney and Ross visited Salt Lake Pre-Plus to talk to the children about pedestrian safety. They talked about how to be safe when walking next to the road, when using the crosswalk, and while riding in the car with their parents. The children also practiced using the crosswalk and identifying possible dangers on the road.

Children, parents, and staff from Jack Hall Head Start went on a safety walk around the community to get the children familiar with the signs, traffic signals, & cross walks.