HCAP Weekly January 28, 2019

Na Lima Hana Participant Receives Wraparound Services
The Kupuna Independent Life Series Kicks Off at Leeward
Kumuhonua Resident Obtains Section 8 Voucher
Energy Saving Tips from the Weatherization Assistance Program
HCAP Staff Attend the WorkForce Career Fair

Na Lima Hana Participant Receives Wraparound Services

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff first met Oncher during a Community Needs Assessment focus group in September. During the focus group discussion, Oncher talked about his own family’s struggle to make ends meet. His wife Jane was a seasonal worker for H&R Block and Oncher was an on call interpreter. They were not living on a consistent paycheck.

Not long after the focus group, Oncher expressed interest in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. Oncher and his wife both came to the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center to enroll in the ECS Program. Although Oncher was already employed, he was hoping to find a higher paying job with longer hours.

As part of ECS services, Oncher and his wife completed Job Readiness Training, and began their search for new jobs. In the meantime, however, their family was still struggling with their bills. Their household received a disconnection notice from HECO. To restore connection, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff helped Oncher apply for the Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI) credit under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Although the emergency situation was resolved through ECI assistance, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff also wanted Oncher’s family to save on future energy costs. In hopes of lowering the cost of utilities for Oncher’s household, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff helped Oncher complete a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) application. If the application is approved, Oncher and his family will receive free energy-efficient devices.

As the holiday season came around, Oncher, an active presence in the local Micronesian community, asked the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center if they could help his church obtain toys for families for Christmas. As an annual beneficiary of the Toys for Tots program, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center obliged.

But the ultimate Christmas present arrived for Oncher and his family a few days later. Oncher received news that he had been hired as security personnel at Iolani Court Plaza. Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff are thrilled for Oncher and his family. Then, a few days into the new year, Oncher’s wife Jane obtained full-time employment as a tax preparer at H&R Block. Oncher and Jane are happy to be gainfully employed.

The Kupuna Independent Life Series Kicks Off at Leeward

Last Thursday, the Leeward District Service Center started their new semester of the Kupuna Independent Life Series. The kupuna started their day with a continental breakfast. After breakfast, the kupuna had an interactive health workshop. The Leeward District Service Center staff conducted the first of a four-part series workshop on blood pressure. The hope is that the kupuna will learn and understand the dangers of hypertension and the importance of having their blood pressure checked regularly.

The Leeward District Service Center staff followed the health workshop with a social workshop called “Bullying Among Seniors.” A three-part series, the workshop is intended to help kupuna learn how to properly defend themselves when bullied. Any kupuna who attends all three workshop sessions will receive a certificate upon completion.

After the “Bullying Among Seniors” educational workshop and a support group discussion on bullying, the kupuna enjoyed slow-cooker spaghetti that was made with wheat pasta and ground turkey. For dessert, the kupuna had sugar-free cheesecake. The kupuna closed out their day with some physical exercise, doing some stretches and breathing exercises.

Kumuhonua Resident Obtains Section 8 Voucher

Aunty Noe has been a resident at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center since August 2015. Even though Aunty Noe was grateful for the services provided by Kumuhonua, she expressed on many occasions her desire to live independently without curfews or house rules. In order to reach this long-term desire and goal, Aunty Noe worked closely with staff to obtain permanent housing.

With the help of Kumuhonua’s housing specialist and case manager, Bridget applied for the the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. A few months later, Aunty Noe received news of an opening available for her, and gladly accepted the offer. For Kumuhonua staff, it has been a pleasure working with Aunty Noe and they wish her the best in her new endeavors.

Energy Saving Tips from the Weatherization Assistance Program

Switching out old household appliances can have big effects on your electric bill and our environment. Did you know that by making little changes around your home, you could be making a big impact?

A greenhouse gas is any infrared radiation absorbing gas that traps and holds heat in the atmosphere. By reducing these gases we can do our part to help the environment. Energy Star certified appliances have helped us make this an easy feat. Lighting and refrigeration are two of the most used household appliances. When replacing lights and refrigerators, be sure to look for the Energy Star label!

If every American home replaced a light bulb with an Energy Star certified one, we would prevent almost 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. That’s equivalent to emissions from 640,000 cars! Energy star bulbs or LED energy efficient lighting use 70-90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, last at least 15 times longer, and will save you money.

Replacing an old refrigerator with one that has the Energy Star certification can reduce your carbon footprint by 8,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the refrigerator’s lifetime. Your fridge is on 24/7 all year long and can use up to twice as much energy as a newer Energy Star model. Making the choice to replace and recycle your old one will help your bill and the environment. Make the switch today!

HCAP Staff Attend the WorkForce Career Fair

On Wednesday, January 31st, HCAP staff attended the WorkForce Career Fair as a Community Partner at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. HCAP staff used the event as an opportunity to provide information about HCAP programs and services, as well as to share current employment opportunities. Brochures and enrollment information were distributed to attendees who visited HCAP’s booth. Wednesday’s event attracted over 300 employers and 4,000 job seekers.

Click here to see HCAP’s current employment opportunities.