HCAP WEEKLY July 11, 2022

Waiʻanae Coast Job Fair a Success

On July 7, HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center hosted a mini job fair at the site of the Ohana Ola o Kahumana transitional housing program in Waiʻanae. The event, organized by Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program staff, aimed to take the stress out of job hunting for Ohana Ola program participants and other community members. Transportation and childcare arrangements can often become logistical and financial barriers to job searching for those in poverty, so HCAP helped bring the employers to their front doors.

Those who attended the fair explored a variety of booths hosted by local business and nonprofit partners, including:

Allied Universal Security
Aloha Air Cargo
Keiki O Ka ʻĀina
Leeward Community College
Ohana Pacific Health
Purple Maiʻa
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
Waipahu Community School for Adults
We Are Oceania
7-Eleven Hawaiʻi

Participants were able to visit each of the organizations to learn more about their offerings, apply for jobs and vocational training, and even complete interviews on the spot. HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start conducted staff recruitment and provided program application assistance at the event, while Leeward District staff conducted client intake for those interested in Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services. “I watched my clients fill out applications, engage with recruiters, and the energy in the air was uplifting,” said Leeward District Community Services Specialist Karley Santos, “[It was] a positive, good-feeling type of event.”

Click Here for more information about Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services.

Employment and Food Assistance Help Central Family Bounce Back from Pandemic Hardships

Earlier this year, Kassydy was completing an online Head Start application when she noticed the Kōkua Food Assistance program on HCAP’s list of programs and services. She contacted Central District Service Center to request more information about the program and began sharing her story with the community services staff. Kassydy explained that she is a mother of four young children and had been staying at home with them when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With her children in distance learning indefinitely, Kassydy was unable to return to work and the family was struggling to get by on her husband’s income alone. 

Kassydy’s family received immediate assistance through Central’s emergency food pantry and further assistance buying groceries through the CARES Act-funded Kōkua Food Assistance program. Central District staff also recommended Kassydy for the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program to complete job readiness training and prepare to rejoin the workforce. 

Kassydy has kept in touch with Central District staff throughout her job search. At the end of June, she was offered a job at TJMaxx and was able to receive work attire with assistance from Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services.

Central District Service Center staff are proud of Kassydy’s progress and excited for her to continue the journey toward self-sufficiency. 

Click Here to learn more about HCAP programs and services.

Learning New Skills with Head Start ʻEwa Pre-Plus

This week, the keiki at HCAP Head Start ʻEwa Pre-Plus enjoyed exploring new kitchen appliances, utensils, and food items that were added to their Home Center. 

Syvonnicah developed her literacy and cognitive skills while reading the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie to her peers. Kyle, Sheyton, and Jacques recognized the pizza in the story and decided to prepare one of their own. While Sheyton engaged his fine motor skills to slice a banana, Kyle and Jacques employed their logic, reasoning, and mathematical skills to count pieces of pizza for everyone at the table. The keiki enjoyed the story and the meal it inspired.

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start applications for the 2022-2023 school year are open now! Click Here for more information and how to apply.