HCAP Weekly January 25, 2016

In this week’s issue:

Mother and Son Stay Focused, Secure Permanent Housing
Na Lima Hana Participant Moves One Step Ahead on Career Path
Family Receives Donated Furniture for their New Home
Hā Initiative Students Plant Their Own Garden!
Income Tax Services Taking Appointments
HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2016-2017 School Year

Mother and Son Stay Focused, Secure Permanent Housing

In 2014, personal circumstances led Jaydeen and her son Tristan to become homeless. With no friends or family to stay with, Jaydeen and Tristan entered a family shelter in 2015 and sought resources to obtain permanent housing.

In the summer of 2015, Jaydeen and Tristan moved into the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. From the moment they arrived at the center, Jaydeen and Tristan were committed to doing whatever was necessary in order to better themselves. Not long after moving into the center, Jaydeen began working full-time. She proved to be a dedicated employee, despite the lengthy commute she had to make. Tristan continued attending college full-time, and worked tirelessly to ensure he stayed on top of his class assignments while working two part-time jobs.

In addition to remaining committed to bettering their futures, Jaydeen and Tristan also made it their priority to comply with the center’s program requirements. Working and openly communicating with her case manager allowed Jaydeen to find a community service activity that suited her work schedule and she diligently completed her community service task every week. Jaydeen established a savings fund and increased the amount in her savings fund each month. Tristan also made it a priority to keep in frequent contact with his case manager. Like his mom, Tristan also increased the amount of his savings while living at Kumuhonua.

Less than four months after moving to Kumuhonua, Jaydeen and Tristan secured affordable permanent housing, and are now living in their own two-bedroom apartment in Pearl City! We here at Kumuhonua are so proud of all that Jaydeen and Tristan have accomplished in such a short period of time, and we wish them continued success in the future!

Na Lima Hana Participant Moves One Step Ahead on Career Path

Shyanne first came to HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center as a First to Work volunteer. To strengthen her employability, Shyanne sought assistance from the Leeward District Service Center. As part of the wrap-around services that HCAP offers its clients, the Leeward District introduced Shyanne to the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program. Shyanne completed the Employment Preparation Training workshops and started her job search with guidance from the Leeward District staff.

In November, Shyanne secured a job with MetroCare Hawaii as a Nurse Aide. She cares for elderly patients at their homes and assists them with their daily routines. Being employed has given Shyanne valuable work experience and new skills. It has also given her ambition, as she hopes to one day become a nurse. As a single mother, Shyanne’s path to employment was not easy. But with her newfound job and the tools she learned at the Leeward District Service Center, she is more confident in her ability to be self-reliant. We here at the Leeward District Service Center are very proud of Shyanne’s success and hope that she continues to strive forward.

Family Receives Donated Furniture for their New Home

On January 20th, the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center was able connect two different families in the community based on each of their needs. Here is their story:

Kay and her husband are elderly and will be moving out of state to be closer to family. Kay called the Kalihi-Palma District Service Center wanting to donate some of their valuable furniture and household items to a family in need.

When the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff received Kay’s call, they immediately thought of Shareese. Shareese is a single parent, a full-time student, and is working part-time to support herself and her children. She and her children were homeless and recently received assistance to get subsidized housing. Shareese came to the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center in need of household items and furniture.

The Kalihi-Palma District Service Center told Shareese about Kay’s donation. Shareese was so grateful and thrilled to be given the items, but she did not have any funds to transport these items to her home.

Kalihi-Palama staff partnered with a few volunteers in the community who had access to a U-Haul box truck. With their help, Shareese and her children now have furniture in their new home! Other furniture and household items which Shareese’s family did not have space for, were dropped off at Helping Hands Hawaii Clearinghouse.

The Kalihi-Palama District Service Center is always finding ways to connect community members who may have never met each other. Connecting Kay’s family, Shareese’s family, and the volunteers was a wonderful example of the work Kalihi-Palama provides beyond its routine services. Both Shareese and Kay expressed gratitude to Kalihi-Palama District Service Center and the staff members wish both families all the best.

Hā Initiative Students Plant Their Own Garden!

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-school Program’s students and volunteers at the Leeward STEM Exploration Center have been expanding the STEM garden. The garden is divided into sections; each section is a six-foot by six-foot plot, bordered by two by four (2×4) dividers. Before they began planting, the garden’s soil was full of rocks and weeds. The students quickly learned how labor-intensive growing crops could be. Nevertheless, the students persevered and the garden is flourishing. So far the students have planted pineapple, eggplant, cucumber, tomato, sunflowers, and Okinawan spinach. In addition, the students had success with the corn since it grows fast and takes up a minimal amount of space. They tried to grow pumpkins last October, but had limited success since pumpkins need compost rich soil. The students also keep a daily log of what has been planted, as well as what fertilizers and pesticides are used. All harvested crops are used during a “cooking day,” in which the students cook, prepare, and sample what they grow!

Income Tax Services Taking Appointments

HCAP is now taking appointments for free tax preparation services!

Beginning February 1, 2016, volunteers and staff will begin free tax preparation services at all five of our District Service Centers and the HCAP Main Office. Each preparer is IRS certified to prepare returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, in partnership with the Hawaii Alliance of Community Based Development’s (HACBED) Hawaii VITA & Financial Empowerment Coalition.

Returns are prepared for working Hawaii families that have an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 and are required to file a relatively simple federal return. Volunteer preparers will e-file both the federal and Hawaii State return for FREE.

Contact the District Service Center nearest you to make an appointment or call the HCAP Main Office for more information.

Appointments are available first come, first served during the following days and times:

Central District Service Center (Phone: 488-6834) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center (Phone: 847-0804) Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm

Leahi District Service Center (Phone: 732-7755) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

Leeward District Service Center (Phone: 696-4261) Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm

Windward District Service Center (Phone: 239-5754) Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12pm

HCAP Main Office (Phone: 521-4531) Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 9am – 12pm

HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2016-2017 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 2016-2017 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website.