HCAP Weekly December 19, 2016

In this week’s issue:

STEM Students Receive Generous Gifts
HCAP Client Benefits from Multiple Services
“The Street Store” Comes to Waianae
Head Start Children Play in the Snow
Future Engineers Build Gingerbread Houses at STEM Family Night
U.S. Vets Receive Holiday Care Packages
HCAP Board Member and Friends Spread Holiday Cheer
HCAP Main Office Holds Holiday Door Decorating Contest

STEM Students Receive Generous Gifts

In a joint effort with Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor Angel Tree Program and the KMART located on Salt Lake Boulevard, the Central District Service Center hosted a gathering of military personnel and community members who sponsored fifteen participants from HCAP’s Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program in a holiday shopping event.

On Thursday afternoon, December 22nd, the students enjoyed a pizza party where they met their sponsors. They were then grouped into pairs and assigned a chaperon and walked together to Kmart. Each student was given a dollar amount to spend, which for most of the kids was “a lot” of money. Jocelyn commented, “I’ve never shopped for myself before.” Their assignment was to figure out the total cost of the gifts they had chosen, including tax without going over their budget, without using a calculator to do the math!

The activity not only tested the children’s math abilities but their social skills as well. For some, this was their first time shopping, and making a decision of what to purchase was difficult. Many bought shoes, socks, clothes and of course something for their mothers! Jason, the oldest teen in the group said, “My Mom loves Sapphire so I’m going to buy this necklace set for her.”

The Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s, coordinator PO1 Shemeka Anderson -N00PQCS is hoping to continue this relationship with the young teens and their command by volunteering to mentor those who participated in today’s activity.

Our hope is that our youth recognize that their community cares about them and their future. We also want them to know that we are aware of the challenges that they face daily and are here to support them.

HCAP Client Benefits from Multiple Services

Robert found out about the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services program while applying for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). He was unemployed at the time and decided to enroll in the program. Leahi District Community Worker, Reiko assisted him with pre-employment training, which helped him to obtain a full-time position at Aloha Air Cargo as a Ramp Agent. Robert has reached his 90 day employment milestone and is on the path to becoming financially stable.

This month, Robert participated in the holiday Adopt a Family Program, administered by Helping Hands Hawaii. This program helps families in need during the holiday season by linking them to donors in the community who can help fulfill their holiday wish. While trying to get back on his feet, Robert was unsure if he was going to be able to provide presents for his family. Robert and his family were grateful to receive gifts from an anonymous donor in the community. Thank you to Helping Hands Hawaii for their continued partnership with HCAP and to all of the community members who donated to families this holiday season!

“The Street Store” Comes to Waianae

This week, members of The Yoke, a yoga organization, sent volunteers to set up a shop, to provide clothes for the homeless via a national program called “The Street Store.” In collaboration with the Leeward District Service Center and HCAP Head Start, homeless residents throughout the Leeward Coast were invited to “shop” for clothes a few days before the Christmas holiday. The shoppers received the clothing and accessories at no cost. Fred Saunders, Leeward District Council Member, assisted with the collaboration after having worked with the homeless population for years. He shared, “this is a national program that I believed would benefit the Leeward District, since it is a need for the homeless in the Waianae area.”

Head Start Children Play in the Snow

Pope Elementary Head Start children got to play in the snow thanks to the Na Pōno program at Partners in Development. The Na Pōno program hosted snow day for their clients and graciously invited Head Start to participate. The children made a snowman, snow balls, angels, and even went sledding on this memorable day.

Future Engineers Build Gingerbread Houses at STEM Family Night

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016, the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s 5 STEM Exploration Centers held their Quarterly Family Night. Students, families, and HCAP staff gathered to participate in STEM related holiday activities. The students used their engineering knowledge to build Gingerbread Houses which could survive an “earthquake and high winds.” Students also created mini snow globes from mason jars. Everyone had a great time celebrating and working together to build beautiful and sturdy gingerbread houses.

U.S. Vets Receive Holiday Care Packages

Once again, the Central District Service Center joined forces with Seeds of Service Hawaii and Cheer 808 to make a special delivery to the U.S. Vets located in Barber’s Point at Kalaeloa. 120 bags of hygiene products were distributed to both men and women who had dedicated their lives to protecting our country. The U.S. Vets provides its participants a range of services including long-term supportive housing and employment assistance, as well as access to veteran’s benefits and treatment for mental and physical health problems and substance abuse.

Central District Service Center, Seeds of Service Hawaii and Cheer 808 were humbled and honored to meet such an exceptional group of people who welcomed the group with smiles and a gratitude for their special care packages.

HCAP Board Member and Friends Spread Holiday Cheer

Each holiday season, HCAP Board Member, Colleen Minami and her friends select various HCAP programs to generously present gifts to. This year, they selected the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services program. Gift cards will be given to Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services participants as an award for finding employment and maintaining employment for 90 days. Mahalo to Colleen and her friends for their generous and continued support!

HCAP Main Office Holds Holiday Door Decorating Contest

HCAP’s Main Office staff got into the holiday spirit by way of a door-decorating contest. Each department was tasked to create a holiday door. The result was a beautiful array of doors and holiday decorations all over the office. You can see pictures of all the doors on our Facebook page!