HCAP WEEKLY February 28, 2022

Head Start Keiki Share Gifts of Happiness with Kūpuna

Heʻeia Head Start keiki created and gifted “Happiness Stones” to kūpuna at The Plaza Assisted Living. The keiki were excited to be decorating their stones, knowing that they were creating special gifts of happiness. Head Start teachers pre-arranged a safe delivery of the happiness stones to The Plaza staff, accompanied by Heʻeia Elementary School Principal Danny Garcia.

After the happiness stones were delivered, each keiki received their own copy of the book “Scribble Stones” from HCAP Head Start. The Head Start keiki are looking forward to creating more gifts of happiness for the kūpuna at The Plaza.

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start applications for the 2022-2023 school year are open now! Click Here for more information and how to enroll your keiki.

HCAP Furthers Partnership with Partners in Development Foundation

As part of an ongoing partnership, HCAP staff met with staff from the Partners in Development Foundation’s Ke Kama Pono program to discuss offering HCAP services to program participants. Ke Kama Pono serves adjudicated young men on Oʻahu through mentoring, schooling, and Native Hawaiian cultural activities, to aid in participants’ rehabilitation and reintegration. As Ke Kama Pono participants must be within the 13-17 age range, this continued collaboration between HCAP and the Partners in Development Foundation would offer additional support for those who are aging out of the program, such as employment and housing services to help with maintaining stability.

Central District Service Center Staff Deliver HCAP Services to Kūpuna

Staff from the Central District Service Center visited the Whitmore Circle Apartments in Wahiawa to offer HCAP’s Income Tax Services to kūpuna residents. The nearby Volunteer Tax Assistance Program in Wahiawa has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many kūpuna in the area lacking support during tax season. Since kūpuna are not always required to file their taxes, they often miss out on tax credits.

Central District Service Center staff helped 17 kūpuna file their 2021 taxes, with each kūpuna receiving $110.00 in State tax credits. Staff even assisted a few kūpuna with filing for their Economic Impact Stimulus payments. 

In addition to Income Tax Services, HCAP has provided other community-based programs benefitting homebound kūpuna during the pandemic, including the Kōkua Food Assistance program. Central District Service Center staff have cultivated relationships with each of the kūpuna receiving food boxes through the Kōkua Food Assistance program, helping them to feel less isolated.

HCAP’s five District Service Centers on Oʻahu are currently providing Income Tax Services to eligible low-income individuals and families, in partnership with Hawaii Tax Help & Financial Empowerment Solutions. The Kōkua Food Assistance program, funded by CARES Act Federal Funds, is available through HCAP’s District Service Centers to eligible individuals and families impacted by COVID-19.

Family and Friends Night Showcases Hā Initiative and Other HCAP Programs

At HCAP’s Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program Family and Friends Night, staff promoted HCAP’s programs and services to the community. Staff from the Windward District Service Center and the HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Program conducted outreach and engaged with families at the event, which was held at Hauʻula Civic Center. Alakaʻi, one of the Hā Initiative instructors, demonstrated experiments with CO2 and dry ice for students’ friends and families.