HCAP Weekly February 2, 2015

In this week’s issue:

Collaboration Between Organizations Helps Veteran Obtain Permanent Housing
169 Tax Returns Prepared in First Week of EITC
HCAP Holds Annual Board Governance Training
Special Guest Brings Kidney Education to the Hā Initiative

Collaboration Between Organizations Helps Veteran Obtain Permanent Housing

Uncle Sonny came to Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center in February 2013 after having to leave the apartment he had been renting. He was unable to move in with family members and moved into Kumuhonua. He was a joy to have in the program, always willing to help out and assist fellow residents. He was active in all the programs offered at Kumuhonua and took care of the yard in the front of the building.

In December 2014, with the assistance of the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, Uncle Sonny secured permanent housing in Waianae. He is happy to live near the ocean and be able to go fishing. Upon securing housing, he received financial assistance from the Renter’s Match Program offered through a collaborative partnership with Hawaiian Community Assets and the HUD-VASH program, which he qualified for as a retired veteran.

169 Tax Returns Prepared in First Week of EITC

The 2014 tax season has begun! HCAP staff and volunteers at our five District Service Centers and the Main Office are hard at work assisting individuals and families with preparing their federal tax returns. In the first week, 169 individuals or families were assisted in preparing their tax return.

In partnership with the IRS and as part of the Hawaii Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) & Financial Empowerment Coalition, HCAP’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) income tax services program helps working families and individuals get the federal tax credits they have earned.

HCAP offers free filing services to anyone that needs to file a federal return, makes less than $52,000 annually and has a relatively simple return. If someone files a federal return, we can also file a State of Hawaii tax return, all for FREE. If this is you or someone you know, call to see if we can help you. Appointments are filling up fast, so be sure to make yours today!

Central 488-6834
Kalihi 847-0804
Leahi 732-7755
Leeward 696-4261
Main Office (Downtown) 521-4531
Windward 239-5754

HCAP Holds Annual Board Governance Training

On Friday, February 6, 2014, HCAP held a Board Governance Training for its Board of Directors. The training was held at the HCAP Administrative Office Board Room, and was presented by HCAP Executive Director Robert Piper, Esq., MBA, HCAP Head Start Director Lynn Cabato, Director of Community Services Robert Naniole, and Director of Planning, Program Development and Communications Michael Hane.

HCAP provides this annual training to ensure all Board members have an understanding about the framework of nonprofit agencies and are aware of their duties and responsibilities as Directors. This training is one of the elements of the Community Services Block Grant Organizational Standards, and is provided to both new and returning Board members.

This training is essential in conveying best practices of a nonprofit Board and ensuring that the HCAP Board continues to provide strong stewardship of HCAP’s mission.

Special Guest Brings Kidney Education to the Hā Initiative

The students at the Hā Initiative Windward STEM Exploration Center received a special surprise on Wednesday, January 28th. Guest speaker Stephanie Locke from the National Kidney Foundation dropped by to give a presentation about the role of the kidneys. During her presentation, students were able to volunteer to be “human skeletons” to help them learn about the different parts of the body.

Stephanie also demonstrated how kidneys work by asking the students to think of foods they eat throughout the day. She then added one marble—or more—to a “body tube,” depending on how unhealthy the food was. After the body tube was crammed full of marbles, she explained the kidney’s role in filtering out of the waste so only the clean water remained.

Lastly, the class explored how to keep their kidneys healthy by playing games of Simon Says. The students were only allowed to do what Simon said if it was a physical activity that would keep them moving. We would like to thank Stephanie for giving a fun, educational presentation to our students. Next time we eat, we will be sure to think about our kidneys!