HCAP WEEKLY February 15, 2021

HCAP’s Kokua Food Boxes Provide Lifeline to Homebound Kupuna and Persons with Disabilities

For the second time this year, HCAP’s District Service Centers delivered Kokua Food Boxes to homebound kupuna and persons with disabilities around the island.  The Kokua Food Boxes, prepared by Ham Produce and Seafood, included a variety of fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and sources of protein. In the wake of COVID-19, this support has been a lifeline for many of our vulnerable populations. The pandemic has been extremely hard on our kupuna and persons with disabilities as many already lived in isolation and had limited social interaction. To make matters even more difficult, support groups and activities which provide daily interaction for kupuna have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Many of the kupuna and persons with disabilities that our staff visited have been shut-in their homes for months and were very happy not only to receive their Kokua Food Boxes but also just to see friendly faces.

Since the beginning of the program, we have served many resilient kupuna who were facing difficult circumstances due to COVID-19. This is one of their stories.

When our staff first met Eugene, he had received an urgent past due payment reminder from his utility provider due to non-payment.  Eugene, like so many kupuna, was having a hard time making ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Eugene was having a lot of anxiety because he usually was able to pay all of his bills.  After meeting with the Central District Service Center staff, Eugene applied for HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Program’s Emergency Crisis Intervention Program, which not only helped Eugene to keep his electric services, but also greatly relieved his anxiety.  But just when Eugene was feeling better, another challenge arose. His landlord decided not to renew his lease and within months Eugene found himself homeless.  Eugene began living in his car, but he did not complain about his situation and continued to work closely with our staff and his Mental Health Case Worker.  After months of searching, Eugene was able to secure a new home in Waipahu!  Although Eugene never complained, he is so happy to have a home of his own again. Our staff dropped off Eugene’s Kokua Food Box at his new home and are so happy that he now has shelter, food and greater stability.

Our goal and hope for the Kokua Food Boxes is to not only ensure our vulnerable populations stay healthy and have access to food, but also to alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty our kupuna and disabled individuals face. To learn more about HCAP’s Kokua Food Assistance Program, visit: www.hcapweb.org/kokua-food-assistance-program/

Nā Lima Hana Client Secures Employment and Reaches 30 Day Milestone!

Kyle sought assistance through HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center in early December when he began actively job-hunting. Due to personal circumstances, he had been out of employment for a period of time but was now ready to get back to work. He was enrolled in our Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, which offered him financial literacy education, interview coaching, resume development and job readiness training. Kyle told our staff that he had background experience in landscaping, customer service, and a handful of painting projects. Although he hoped to find work in this field, he was open to securing any available jobs that would support him financially, especially under the current challenges brought by COVID-19. He was able to secure full-time employment at Block by Block, a security service company in Waikiki! Kyle began his job at the beginning of January and has just reached the 30-day mark of maintaining his employment! Kyle will receive a gift-card incentive for reaching his first milestone. HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center staff will continue to support Kyle in the coming months and looks forward to him reaching his 90 day employment milestone!

Are you seeking employment and in need of assistance? Email NaLimaHana@hcapweb.org to see if you qualify for HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program.

HCAP’s CARES Act Funded Programs Provide Help and Decrease Barriers for Non-U.S. Citizens

Many in our community who are Non-U.S. citizens face increased barriers to receiving assistance during COVID-19. Resources are limited and often there is a language barrier that prevents families and individuals with limited English from finding and receiving the help they need. When Aslain first contacted HCAP, she was having difficulties finding help to pay off her utilities and rent as she is not a U.S. citizen. With the help of HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center, Aslain applied for HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program to help with her utilities and rent. Her Hale Kākou Program application is being processed and we hope she will soon be receiving her much needed utility and rental assistance.  Aslain also applied for our Kokua Food Assistance Program and recently received her Kokua Grocery Card, which will help her put food on the table! 

To find out more about our HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program visit: www.hcapweb.org/hale-kakou/

To find out more about our HCAP’s Kokua Food Assistance Program, visit: www.hcapweb.org/kokua-food-assistance-program/

Head Start Keiki Get Crafty for Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year!

The holidays might look different this year, but that didn’t stop our HCAP Head Start keiki from celebrating Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year! Here’s how two of our HCAP Head Start keiki celebrated the holidays at home with their ohana.

A Jar Filled with Love!

Shiloh from Pohakea I, demonstrated fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination by cutting and gluing the paper hearts on his Valentine’s jar worksheet. Shiloh and his mom worked together to complete this Valentine’s Day activity. This activity teaches number concepts and helps keiki to recognize numerals 1 to 14.

Getting Crafty for the Lunar New Year! 

Mikayla from August Ahrens II, created her own version of the Chinese Dragon after learning about Chinese culture, heritage, and history. In honor of Lunar New Year, Mikayla used her supplies to color, cut, and paste together a two dimensional Chinese Dragon puppet! She also made Lucky Red envelopes to give to her dragon! Through these activities, Mikayla was able to make connections between her art and Chinese culture. It may not be a real-life dragon dance, but it is still a fun way to celebrate the Year of the Ox!