HCAP Weekly December 12, 2016

In this week’s issue:

Head Start Home Base Children Receive Generous Gift
Kumuhonua Residents Create Reusable Bags
STEM Students Investigate Plants in their Community
Employment Core Services Participant Quickly Secures Employment
Kupuna Learn to Hula
HCAP Selects New Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Case Managers
Mahalo to the Jean I. Fennimore Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation

Head Start Home Base Children Receive Generous Gift

For many years, HCAP Board Member, Colleen Minami and her friends have selected various HCAP programs to generously present gifts. On December 9, the Home Base Wahiawa families of HCAP Head Start met at Mililani Public Library for socialization and story hour. They were joined by Colleen Minami, her friend Jan, Lynn Cabato (Head Start Director) and Joanna Bato (Head Start Family Advocate). During their visit, Colleen and her friend Jan gave out gift cards to each family. Mahalo to Colleen and her friends for their generous and continued support!

Kumuhonua Residents Create Reusable Bags

The KROC Center recently offered an upcycling craft class for residents at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. This class taught residents how to transform an old t-shirt into a reusable bag. The residents enjoyed the craft class and are now able to pay-it-forward by teaching those who were not able to attend. We are hoping this is the first of many craft classes for our residents, and continue to be a grateful recipient of the many opportunities the KROC has brought to Kumuhonua.

STEM Students Investigate Plants in their Community

This week at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, the students continued with the topic of plants and horticulture by researching potential gardening projects they could carry out at home or at school. They took a small ‘local excursion’ around the Kaiulani Elementary School campus to investigate the various plant and tree species already growing in their community. The kids found plants such as hibiscus, monkey pod trees, ti leaves, palm trees, and plumeria. They then researched these plants on the computer to find potential uses for the plants (monkey pods can be used in bean bags, for example). The kids also learned about evergreen trees, in keeping with the holiday season, and about the Norfolk pine, which is a species of evergreen native to the Pacific.

Employment Core Services Participant Quickly Secures Employment

Koa was in urgent need of employment when a friend referred him to the Leahi District Service Center. HCAP Community Worker, Mae, enrolled Koa in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services program. She worked with him to create a resume and brush up on his interview skills. After completing job readiness training, Koa began his job search. He was referred to Town Restaurant in Kaimuki, where he was hired on the spot and started work the very same day! A few days later, Koa needed new work shoes and requested assistance from HCAP. When Koa received his new work shoes, he shared that he had just been hired at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and would be starting his training the following day. The staff at the Leahi District Service Center would like to congratulate Koa on his success!

Kupuna Learn to Hula

Community Workers Reiko and Sonny from the HCAP Windward District Service Center went to the Kupuna Independent Life Series at the Iwilei Senior Residents to teach the kupuna how to Hula. The participants learned the dance moves to the Hawaiian Lullaby “Where I Live There Are Rainbows.” The kupuna loved dancing and got a good workout!

HCAP Selects New Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Case Managers

HCAP is pleased to announce that Chermane Stringfield has been selected as its Lead Case Manager at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center in Kalaeloa. She will be responsible for training and directing the case management staff to assist residents with goal planning and connect them with available community resources in order to transition to permanent housing.

Chermane has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hawaii Pacific University. She has past experience as a Case Manager at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and was most recently a Family Advocate Mentor for HCAP’s Head Start program.

Also joining the team at Kumuhonua Transitional Center as a Case Manager is Heather House. Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Midwestern State University. She has an extensive background providing direct services to at-risk populations.

HCAP welcomes Chermane and Heather to their positions, and looks forward to having them join the team at HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.

Mahalo to the Jean I. Fennimore Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation

HCAP would like to thank the Jean I. Fennimore Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation for its recent grant award to provide operating support for the agency. These funds will help HCAP to continue providing high-quality services that will have a positive impact for low-income individuals and families. We truly appreciate the generosity and support of the Hawaii Community Foundation and their funding partners.