HCAP Weekly February 18, 2019

My Brother’s Keeper PJJK Participants Participate in Leeward District Service Center Clean-Up
Na Lima Hana Participant Obtains Employment
Honolulu and Kalihi STEM Students Participate in “Sweet” Activities
Aiea I Head Start Children Write and Mail Letters

My Brother’s Keeper PJJK Participants Participate in Leeward District Service Center Clean-Up

In an attempt to build more bridges in marginalized communities, the Leeward District Service Center established a partnership with My Brother’s Keeper PJJK, a clean and sober/halfway home two year program, in early 2018. Leeward District Service Center continues to provide My Brother’s Keeper PJJK participants with wraparound services, including pre-employment training from the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program.

In the past year, the men of My Brother’s Keeper PJJK have been a source of support for the Leeward District Service Center and are quick to offer assistance if needed. Recently, a group of My Brother’s Keeper PJJK participants stepped in to help clean up a part of Leeward District Service Center’s property. This clean-up consisted of clearing out large debris, overgrown trees, and bulky items that had been illegally dumped.

Leeward District Service Center would like to give a heartfelt thank you to My Brother’s Keeper PJJK for the hard work they have done for the district and their continued support in improving our community together.

Na Lima Hana Participant Obtains Employment

John, a member of the Laumaka Work Furlough program, expressed interest in labor work. He enrolled in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program at HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, knowing exactly what he needed to secure employment. The Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff assisted him in obtaining a driver’s license and abstract, qualifications that were necessary in his line of work.

Shortly after receiving his driver’s license and abstract, John received an offer of employment from Touch Maintenance LLC. The ECS Program provided John with the work boots and clothes required for employment as maintenance laborer. He was thankful for ECS’ services, and glad Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff was able to help him transition back into civilian life.

Honolulu and Kalihi STEM Students Participate in “Sweet” Activities

Last week at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, students at the Honolulu and Kalihi STEM Exploration Centers celebrated Valentine’s Day with some candy-related activities. The first activity involved dunking small candy hearts in different liquids (water, sprite, apple juice, and sparkling water). The students tested what would happen to the hearts when placed in the different liquids. The students formulated a hypothesis, collected the data, and analyzed the results.

In the second activity, the students applied their engineering skills by building with gummy hearts and toothpicks. The goal for the Kalihi STEM students was to build the tallest tower. The Honolulu STEM students chose to design and build structures of their choice. They built a volcano, a tower, a house, and a submarine. It was a fun and educational day for students to practice teamwork and expand their experimental and engineering skills.

Aiea I Head Start Children Write and Mail Letters

The children of Aiea I Head Start are learning their alphabets, writing words, and creating messages. As part of a parent engagement activity, the children and their parents created DIY mailboxes from recyclable items at home.

Back in the classroom, the Aiea I Head Start teachers set up a post office as one of the learning centers. The children learned how to create messages to their friends using words or pictures. When done, they placed their messages and letters in their friends’ mailboxes.