HCAP WEEKLY January 4, 2021

Head Start & Early Head Start Accepting Applications for 2021-2022 School Year

Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) Head Start & Early Head Start offers quality early childhood development programs for pregnant women and children ages 0 to 5 years old. The program is actively recruiting for the 2021-2022 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website for an application: www.hcapweb.org/headstart/head-start-application/ 

At-Risk Youth Works Hard To Obtain GED Diploma Despite Setbacks Due to COVID-19

Devin first contacted HCAP’s Central District Service Center in January to obtain his GED. After assessing Devin’s needs, our staff were able to refer him to one of HCAP’s partners McKinley/Moanalua Community School for Adults. With funding from HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, Devin began regularly attending GED/HISET classes at the Central District Service Center. Things were moving along smoothly and Devin seemed well on his way towards achieving his goals. But then, the pandemic hit the islands. Due to COVID-19, Devin, along with other students, had to transition to online schooling. Like most of our at-risk students, Devin found it difficult to do online courses without the structured in-person instruction. But although he initially struggled with distance learning, Devin was motivated and continued to attend and complete his courses. Devin’s teacher Amanda reported that he continued to log-in many hours towards his classes and was keeping his grades up.

However, in September, Devin’s household was unable to afford internet services. Devin contacted the Central District staff concerned that he would not be able to continue his courses. Thankfully, a community member donated a wifi device that Devin could use to complete his course. Since receiving the donated device, Devin has been able to keep up with his classes and looks forward to the start of the next semester.

Through assistance from HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program and with the help of his teachers, Devin is on his way to reaching his educational goals. Our Central District Service Center is very proud of Devin’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing him obtain his accredited diploma!

Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Builds Partnerships With Local Agencies

In recent weeks, HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program has been collaborating with Leeward Community College’s Office of Continuing Education & Workforce Development (OCEWD), Kamehameha Schools, HINET/SNAP Ho`ola Ike program, ALU LIKE Inc., and Kapi`olani Community College to create a strong partnership that will benefit those who are unemployed, underemployed or in need of vocational training.

Before the holidays, Dayna, Educational Specialist in Leeward Community College’s OCEWD office, invited all the agencies and educational establishments to a meeting via Zoom. Representatives from each agency shared more information about the services they provide and discussed opportunities for collaboration.

Through the meeting, HCAP staff were able to learn about possible collaborations and services that could benefit our clients. Our staff learned that the HINET/SNAP Ho`ola Ike Program provides support services for college and workforce training. The HINET/SNAP Ho`ola Ike program program is designed to alleviate barriers and assist applicants in obtaining the education and the skills they would need to earn a living wage and maintain financial independence. HCAP staff also spoke with other agencies like ALU LIKE Inc., which provides tuition assistance funding for those of Indian, Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian origin. ALU LIKE Inc.’s Ka Ipu Kā`eo −Employment & Training Department, assists low-income individuals with tuition assistance to attend community college, as well as obtain their Bachelors and Master’s degree.

HCAP staff were excited to begin building partnerships with these amazing agencies in order to better serve our clients. With the help of it’s new partners, HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program hopes to provide a wider range of services this upcoming year for individuals across O’ahu.

Kaka’ako Kasuals Donates Over a Thousand Pairs of Slippers and Sandals

With the incredible donation provided by Kaka’ako Kasuals, women, children, and infants in our O’ahu communities have a new pair of slippers and sandals! For more than 30 years, Kaka’ako Kasuals has built a business focused on family and community, understanding that slippers are not only essential, but a form of identity in our Hawaii communities.

Last week, Kaka’ako Kasuals generously donated over a thousand pairs of women, children, and infant sized sandals, and water shoes that will be provided to families enrolled in HCAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, residents of our Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center, and clients receiving services through our District Service Centers. With families continuing to struggle as this pandemic persists, the donation provided by Kaka’ako Kasuals will ease a little strain on families in need of this essential item.

The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. would like to send a big MAHALO to Kaka’ako Kasuals for its generous donation!

HCAP Head Start Keiki Start the New Year With Fun Learning Activities!

The New Year has begun! That means our HCAP Head Start keiki are back to learning and developing new skills with the help of their teachers, parents, and families. Here’s what our keiki have been learning so far this year!

David from Halawa has been learning simple patterns such as ABAB. He was able to recreate repeating patterns by using everyday materials such as his animal toys from home. David filled in the missing patterns with his parents’ help for patterns ABBA and BABA. Nice work David!

Aurora from Ka Pua I, shared with her teachers her assignment of germinating and growing a seed. Aurora chose to germinate a soybean and was able to identify parts of a plant such as the “roots” and explained how they are used to help the plant drink water!

Caithomb from Halawa was very excited to show-and-tell his ‘Levers’ simple machines project! He used a clothes hanger and two sponges, one sponge wet and the other dry, to demonstrate how levers work. Caithomb used his finger as the lever to hold up and lift the hanger, while also carefully trying to balance the lever. Awesome job Caithomb!