HCAP Weekly December 10, 2018

HCAP Children and Families Board United Airlines Fantasy Flight
HCAP Head Start Selects A New Program Manager
Leeward District Service Center Holds Luncheon for My Brother’s Keeper PJJK
Kalihi Kupuna Win Bingo Prizes and Gifts in Closing Session
21st Century Community Learning Centers Evaluation for Program Year 2017-2018

HCAP Children and Families Board United Airlines Fantasy Flight

On December 6th, HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center, HCAP Head Start and the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program took off on United Airlines Fantasy Flight to the North Pole, where the children in attendance met Santa and received gifts from their Christmas wish list. This is the second year HCAP has been invited to join other agencies with children and families in need to spend an exciting afternoon of flying in a 767 airplane before joining United employees and Santa at a colorful party.

Colleen Kahu, a former flight attendant for United Airlines and an ex-HCAP employee in Waianae, has always had a soft place in her heart for the children of Waianae; it was her pleasure to recommend HCAP as a participating organization. HCAP is the only agency to be invited two years in a row.

HCAP Head Start Selects A New Program Manager

HCAP is pleased to announce that Melissa Grado has been named as HCAP’s newest Head Start ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)/Family & Community Partnership Program Manager. She will be responsible for monitoring and implementation of ERSEA regulations and overseeing the daily operations of Head Start Family Advocates.

Melissa started with HCAP in 2010 as a Head Start Assistant Teacher, later became a Head Start Teacher, and was most recently a Head Start Site Supervisor. Melissa has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Honolulu Community College and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services from Wayland Baptist University.

Jennifer Tanele, HCAP Head Start Assistant Director, states “Moving from one component to another in Head Start is no easy task. Melissa has demonstrated that she is willing and able to take on this challenge and is ready to build upon her past contributions to the program. I am excited at the prospect of Melissa and the ERSEA component learning and growing together.”

HCAP congratulates Melissa for continuing to strive to reach her fullest potential for the benefit of HCAP, Head Start, and the people we serve.

Leeward District Service Center Holds Luncheon for My Brother’s Keeper PJJK

On December 10th, the Leeward District Service Center held a luncheon for My Brother’s Keeper PJJK, a two-year program dedicated to clean and sober living, to thank them for assisting the District with Ohana Produce during the past year. Since Leeward District Service Center staff started providing employment services to My Brother’s Keeper PJJK residents, a total of four residents have gained employment and one individual is enrolled at Leeward Community College.

Leeward District Service Center staff would like to thank Anela and Vincent Arquienz for donating to the luncheon. This is the second year in a row they have blessed the District with their generosity. Last year, they donated turkeys to feed the homeless, and this year they donated 30 bags of hygiene products for My Brother’s Keeper PJJK residents. For the second time this holiday season, Unko donated pans of ono food from Honolulu Kitchen in Waipahu for the luncheon. Without sponsors and partnerships, the Leeward District Service Center would not be able to provide these holiday programs for seniors and the formerly incarcerated.

Kalihi Kupuna Win Bingo Prizes and Gifts in Closing Session

The seniors at Kalihi-Palama District Service Center’s Kupuna Independent Life Series concluded the fall session last Wednesday. They started off the day with a light breakfast. On the menu were fruits and scones. After breakfast, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff announced updates on several programs, including the upcoming Income Tax Services/ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, which begins in February.

Once staff finished with the announcements, the kupuna played Bingo and won prizes and gifts. For lunch, they were treated to chow fun and tofu and veggies catered by Chun Wah Kam. For dessert, the kupuna had ube cream cheese and chocolate covered strawberries. They closed out the day talking about their plans for Christmas.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Evaluation for Program Year 2017-2018

The evaluation for HCAP’s Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program for the program year 2017-2018 can be viewed here.