HCAP Weekly February 6, 2017

In this week’s issue:

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Builds New Partnership with Aloha Harvest
HCAP Helps Couple with Tax and Employment Needs
Head Start Children get Hands-On Help with Home Depot
Making Pie Charts at Windward STEM
Kupuna Learn about Cancer Prevention
HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2017-2018 School Year

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Builds New Partnership with Aloha Harvest

HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center has built a new partnership with Aloha Harvest. Aloha Harvest is a non-profit organization that rescues quality, donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies feeding the hungry in Oahu. The Kalihi-Palama District Service Center will be using the donated food to supplement their Emergency Food Pantry as well as the Kupuna Independent Life Series.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center’s Emergency Food Pantry is available for individuals who need immediate food and can stop by during office hours for assistance. A typical grocery bag from our Emergency Food Pantry includes canned goods, rice, and now, donated fresh food items from Aloha Harvest. If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation and would like to use the Emergency Food Pantry please call the Kalihi-Palama District Office at (808) 847-0804.

Thank you to Aloha Harvest for the first delivery. HCAP looks forward to working alongside Aloha Harvest during future food collections!

HCAP Helps Couple with Tax and Employment Needs

Paul and Jamie Lynn have been filing their taxes at the Central District Service Center for the past few years, but this year they were particularly grateful for the free Income Tax Services HCAP offers through the Hawaii Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

Paul was the only working person in the household when he suffered a heart attack. Due to several complications, Paul’s doctor has placed him out of work. Jamie Lynn has been volunteering with the Central District Service Center to develop her skills and gain more work experience. She has also worked as a seasonal aide for HCAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the past and was recently notified that she was accepted as Assistant Teacher Substitute in the HCAP Head Start program.

Paul and Jamie Lynn are looking forward to using their tax refund to pay their back rent and bills. HCAP staff would like to wish Paul and Jamie Lynn’s family the best and hope their situation gets better as the year progresses.

Head Start Children get Hands-On Help with Home Depot

Children and parents of Salt Lake Pre-Plus Head Start participated in the Home Depot Kids Workshop. Led by Home Depot employees, Natasha and Erica, children and parents learned about the parts of a hammer and how to use a hammer safely. Then, they were provided building materials and a hammer to put together a wooden toolbox. The parents modeled for their children how to use the hammer correctly and safely, and gave the children clear directions on how to assemble their toolbox. After assembling the toolbox, the children painted their toolbox with their favorite colors. Overall, it was a great opportunity for the children to practice their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination and bond with their parents.

Making Pie Charts at Windward STEM

This week at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s Windward STEM Exploration Center, the students explored pie charts and bar graphs. Students learned how to define and construct a bar graph from a given set of data. Students also learned about pie charts. They discovered that a pie chart is easier to read when using percentages to label the data. Later in the week, the class participated in an interactive question and answer activity. A survey was conducted with the class. They were asked to name their five favorite candies. After tabulating the total for favorites, they input the data into a bar graph.

Kupuna Learn About Cancer Prevention

From now until April 20, Windward District Service Center Staff is facilitating the Kupuna Independent Living Series at Kahuku Elderly Hauoli Hale. The Windward District Service Center has partnered with Ko’olauloa Health Center to provide health information to kupuna each week. This week, seniors were given a presentation on cancer. They learned about several types of cancer, as well as information regarding risk factors, treatments, and prevention. After the presentation by Ko’olauloa Health Center, Windward District Service Center Staff facilitated a frank discussion on the challenges of aging in place. To conclude the day, the staff led a fun social activity by teaching the seniors how to make ti leaf leis.

HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2017-2018 School Year

Are you or someone you know in need of free or affordable preschool? Spread the word! HCAP Head Start is now accepting applications for children 3-5 years for the 2017-2018 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website.