HCAP Weekly December 14, 2015

In this week’s issue:

Head Start Students Show Off their Art Skills in the 2016 HCAP Head Start Calendar
HCAP Marches in the 69th Annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade
Head Start Children and Parents Bring Holiday Joy to Kupuna
Central District Service Center Participates in the Angel Tree Program
Kumuhonua Transitional Living Staff Conduct Training to Educate about Homelessness

Head Start Students Show Off their Art Skills in the 2016 HCAP Head Start Calendar

Each year the children of HCAP Head Start are given the opportunity to enter the annual calendar contest by putting their artistry skills to work. This year, the children submitted drawings of their favorite children’s storybook. Choosing from an overwhelming amount of beautiful drawings from such gifted little artists is never an easy task. Twelve drawings were selected and will be recognized on January 28, 2016 at the Head Start Policy Council Meeting, where the contest winners will receive their very own book. Thank you to all of the children who submitted drawings for the 2016 HCAP Head Start calendar!

HCAP Marches in the 69th Annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade

On December 3rd, the Leahi District Service Center’s staff marched in the 69th Annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade along with the HCAP Palolo Head Start classrooms, Palolo Tenant Association and the Ethnic Council Group of Palolo Valley Homes. Every year during the holiday season, the community gathers to march in one of the longest-running community parades in the State of Hawaii. This year it featured over forty walking groups including marching bands, decorated vehicles, and community walking groups. And of course, Santa joined in the fun! The Leahi District Service Center had a great time collaborating with the kids and community members. Everyone decorated the HCAP van, wore their holiday attire and passed out candy to those watching the parade. Thank you to everyone who participated in this holiday event!

Head Start Children and Parents Bring Holiday Joy to Kupuna

This holiday season, Jack Hall Head Start children learned about giving back to our kupuna. Head Start staff, children, and parents visited the Waipahu Hongwanji Adult Day Care Center. The children sang holiday songs for the kupuna and also did an art activity with them. The children and kupuna created Christmas trees out of Popsicle sticks, sequins and glitter glue. It was an awesome experience for our Jack Hall children!

Central District Service Center Participates in the Angel Tree Program

Central District Service Center picked up their annual Angel Tree Program donations from Pearl Harbor Chapel, located at Naval Base Pearl Harbor. The Central District Service Center has been a recipient of this special project for over twenty years. Together, they have assisted hundreds of children with special gift requests. This holiday season, they helped over 900 children to have a brighter holiday. The Central District Service Center staff would like to thank Pearl Harbor Chapel parishioners, St. John Apostle & Evangelist Catholic Church parishioners, and the Toys for Tots program for their continued support.

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Staff Conduct Training to Educate about Homelessness

On December 11, Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center staff members, Kainani and Rado conducted a Homeless Services Training for HCAP’s Head Start and Community Services staff members at the Central District Service Center. Kainani and Rado gave a presentation on the Kumuhonua Transitional Center’s program, with a focus on eligibility requirements, facility information, and participant programing.

At this training event, attendees also received additional information on City and County of Honolulu initiatives, created cross-program partnerships, discussed new outreach strategies, and received information on a variety of homeless services available on the Island of Oahu.

The Kumuhonua Transitonal Living Center is a transitional living center program located at Kalaeloa, Barbers Point. Kumuhonua is a program for single adults and couples, eighteen years old and older, who are homeless or at-risk for being homeless. Kumuhonua provides housing (up to two years), case management services, and on-going workshops and classes for its program participants.