HCAP Weekly July 11, 2016
In this week’s issue:
HCAP and Other Community Action Agencies Attend a Three-Day Training
Central District Service Center and its Partners Provide School Supplies to Children
Hā Initiative Students Assist in Soldering a Solar Powered Car
HCAP Head Start Teachers Attend the “Where STEM Begins” Summer Institute
Kumuhonua Women Recognized by the Domestic Violence Action Center
HCAP Head Start Now Accepting Applications for the 2016-2017 School Year
HCAP and Other Community Action Agencies Attend a Three-Day Training
This week, HCAP staff and board members attended a three-day training offered by the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) and the State Office of Community Services (OCS). Also in attendance were staff from HCAP’s sister Community Action Agencies- Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO) and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC). The training covered topics including Board Governance, OMB Uniform Guidance, and the current environment for Community Action. HCAP staff had the pleasure of speaking with Governor David Ige, Senator Maile Shimabukuro, Representative Mark J. Hashem, and Linda Chu Takayama, Director of the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations at the reception. Mahalo to HCAP Board Members Garrick L.H. Goo, Rebecca Allen, Terrence Aratani, Judy Hirashima, Phyllis Ida, Elmer Kaai, and Samuel Moku for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend the training.
Central District Service Center and its Partners Provide School Supplies to Children
Each year, the price of school supplies increases and many low-income children begin the first day of school without school supplies, simply because their family cannot afford it. This creates an instant barrier for these children at the start of the school year.
The Central District Service Center is proud to partner with several amazing programs to provide hundreds of low-income children with much needed school supplies.
The Central District Service Center supported children in grades K-12 in acquiring the tools needed to be successful in school. Partnering with Helping Hands Hawaii’s Ready to Learn Program, the Central District Service Center received and submitted 629 low-income children’s request for school supplies.
This year, Helping Hands Hawaii partnered with American Savings Bank who provided each child with a beautiful drawstring bag, which included a school supply starter kit. Each kit included pencils, scissors, glue, crayons, folder paper, pens, erasers, spiral notebooks, binders, portfolios, compositions books, rulers, and calculators.
The Central District Service Center also contributed to Haleiwa’s Once A Month Church’s Operation Backpack, founded by the late Pastor Ron Valencia. For the past fifteen years, the group provided hundreds of new backpacks filled with donated school supplies to low-income children in the North Shore community. This year the backpacks will be distributed on Saturday, July 23 at Haleiwa Beach Park where a hot lunch will be served and activities provided for children.
Hā Initiative Students Assist in Soldering a Solar Powered Car
The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students at the Leeward STEM Exploration Center observed and assisted in the soldering of a solar powered car. Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and then flowing filler metal into the joint—the filler metal having a relatively low melting point. This project was a great opportunity for the students to learn about the process of soldering and also the safety equipment and procedures should be used. The students have been enjoying these hands-on activities and look forward to all the fun STEM projects to come!
HCAP Head Start Teachers Attend the “Where STEM Begins” Summer Institute
HCAP Head Start Teachers and Assistant Teachers attended the “Where STEM Begins” Summer Institute at the Honolulu Community College. During the event, participants learned about early learning experiences that support STEM learning. They also acquired strategies to facilitate learning in the STEM subjects across the Early Childhood Education continuum. Finally, they designed STEM exploration activities that foster the development of critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. The Head Start teachers enjoyed the event and found it both informational and helpful.
Kumuhonua Women Recognized by the Domestic Violence Action Center
The Domestic Violence Action Center’s (DVAC) Ho’oikaika Ohana Program hosted a Ho ‘ike ceremony for the women who have committed to the group, some of which were Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center residents. These women have spent the last six months in the Ho’oikaika Ohana Program and have committed their time and energy into healing. The Domestic Violence Action Center appreciated the opportunity to work with Kumuhonua’s women and look forward to providing further support to Kumuhonua residents.
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.