HCAP Weekly December 30, 2019

Windward District Service Collaborates with B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii for Holiday Gift Giving Program
HCAP in Pacific Business News Book of Lists
HCAP Client Gives Back to Windward Community
Family Receives Post-Christmas Adopt A Family Gifts
Kumuhonua Staff and Residents Celebrate Holidays with Gingerbread Decorating Contest
HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Kicks Off Winter Break with In-Service Training

Windward District Service Center Collaborates with B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii for Holiday Gift Giving Program

Utilizing the resources on hand and making new connections with other organizations, Windward District Service Center Community Worker Cory Dias spearheaded the Holiday Gift Giving program for families in the community. Cory collaborated with Augie T, Kim Tulba, and Mahea Sims-Tulba, founders of B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii and Miss American Scholar Hawaii Pageant. To plan an elaborate holiday gift drive event that would benefit the children of families who utilize the services of Windward District Service Center, flyers were created and social media was used to get the word out about the purpose of Windward District Service Center’s gift drive.

To ensure that even the older children were provided for, Cory reached out to Brian Cordero of LanaiScapes Hawaii and Ritche Mudd of RRS Inc. and RSI Roofing, who generously sponsored gift cards for the teens.

The amazing event for the Windward District Service Center’s Holiday Gift Giving Program, “Come Grind with Santa” took place on Sunday, December 22nd at The Beach House 604 in Waianae. Cory handed out HCAP flyers to patrons who brought in new unwrapped gifts for a 15% discount off their meal. The young ladies of Miss American Scholar and B.R.A.V.E Hawaii hosted the brunch with a “Meet and Greet”. There was entertainment, photo ops with Santa, and awesome giveaways throughout the day.

The “Come Grind with Santa” gift drive and gift card sponsorship was a huge success! The Windward District Service Center was able to provide each child with at least two gifts and each family received a reusable gift bag full of wonderful goodies.

Needless to say, the Windward District Service Center is deeply touched by the Windward community’s outpouring of support and willingness to give from the heart! The way local businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs throughout the island came together during the holiday season is so remarkable. It’s important for each of us to make connections in every way possible and on every level in order to make an impact and make a difference.

HCAP in Pacific Business News Book of Lists

HCAP was listed in the 2019-2020 Pacific Business News Book of Lists as the ninth largest Nonprofit Service Provider in Hawaii, as ranked by 2018 revenue. The Book of Lists is a compilation of lists that appeared in the weekly issues of Pacific Business News during the previous year.

HCAP Client Gives Back to Windward Community

Jeris was introduced to HCAP’s services by Kimberly Nabarro, a Community Worker at HCAP’s Windward District Service Center. He has been homeless and was seeking assistance in obtaining his birth certificate and Social Security card, as well as a bus pass. Jeris is currently a participant in the City’s Rent To Work Program and with Kimberly’s guidance, he regained a position he previously held at Leeward Bowl Bar & Grill.

With an extensive work and life history in restaurants and in business administration, Jeris’ achievements include being a grant writer in the recovery community. Utilizing his strengths in these fields, Jeris is considering employment that better fits his interest in administration and experience in the non-profit sector. In the meantime, he volunteers at the Windward District Service Center office as a receptionist and voluntarily cooks for the Kupuna Independent Life Series Program. You may also see him passing out food at Ohana Produce food distribution. Additionally, Jeris has decorated the office to make it festive and bright. He is a shining star at the office and his effervescent personality is infectious.

Please introduce yourself if he answers your call at the Windward District Service Center and Happy Holidays from all of us!

Family Receives Post-Christmas Adopt A Family Gifts

The Puaoi family was glad and appreciative when they were chosen for Helping Hands Hawaii’s Adopt A Family. It was a nice surprise when Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff contacted the family after Christmas, notifying them of their gifts that were ready for pick-up.

The family had assumed that they might have been “over-income” for the program since both parents are gainfully employed with full-time permanent jobs. But with the high cost of living in Hawaii, the Pauaoi family could not afford a Christmas tree for their home or gifts for one another. Despite not having much material things for Christmas, they had each other. For this family, every day is Christmas; they feel blessed with Hā, the breath of life.

Kumuhonua Staff and Residents Celebrate Holidays with Gingerbread Decorating Contest

In the spirit of Christmas and New Year’s, staff and residents at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center organized a Gingerbread Decorating Contest. Staff donated all of the ingredients and decorations, and prepared and baked gingerbread cookies. Residents were informed of the event a month earlier and were looking forward to participating in the contest.

During the gathering, residents and staff convened and shared favorite holiday memories they had in Hawaii or in other parts of the world. With great memories, good conversations, and a spirited contest, it was a good time had by all. The residents and staff of Kumuhonua would like to wish everyone a very prosperous New Year.

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Kicks Off Winter Break with In-Service Training

On Thursday, December 19th, HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start held an interactive in-service training at the Aloha Stadium Hospitality Room. The training opened with a dynamic and engaging presentation from Taylor Ho’opi’i and Don Faumuina of Time 4 Change Hawaii. Taylor and Don taught the staff the importance of discovering one’s own personality type as well as the characteristics of others in order to improve effective communication and relationships.

The afternoon training was led by Aunty Puanani Burgess, a “Living Treasure of Hawaii,” who donated her time to share her culture-based knowledge on building relationships and communities through specific models of communication that she has developed over the years. Through the utilization of these models, staff members were able to learn more about themselves, strengthening their ability to provide support to children, families, and communities.