HCAP WEEKLY July 12, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations to be Provided at HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center

In a continued effort to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate on Oʻahu, the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (“HCAP”), the Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH), the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawai’i COVID-19 Response, Recovery, and Resilience Team, and Project Vision Hawai’i, are partnering to host several vaccination events at HCAPʻs Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center located at Barberʻs Point. The collaboration is in an effort to vaccinate members of the general public as well as provide easy and accessible vaccination access to harder to reach populations such as residents at Kumuhonua and other houseless individuals near the shelter. The events offer the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and there will be no charge, no copay and walk-ins will be welcome. Uninsured participants are also welcome to attend. 

HCAP Executive Director Robert N.E. Piper praised the collaborative efforts being made to increase the vaccination rates on Oʻahu and provide access to vulnerable residents. “Bringing vaccines into the heart of harder to reach communities is key in increasing the vaccination rates. We hope that by providing vaccines at our Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center we can offer accessibility and a comfortable atmosphere to those who are still hesitant or have still been unable to get their vaccination.”

What: 

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Vaccination Events

When:

Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Wednesday August 11, 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Wednesday August 25, 2021, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Where:

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center

91-1096 Yorktown St., Building 36

Kapolei, HI 96707

Verizon Wireless Awards Grant to the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program

Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) would like to thank Verizon Wireless for their generosity and support of our Hā Initiative: Creative After-School Program! The grant provided by Verizon Wireless will help in providing program supplies for our Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students and will help to bridge the learning loss created by the pandemic.

The Hā Initiative Creative STEM After‐School Program allows students in Grades 2-8 to explore the world of STEM in a fun and creative environment. The program is free and provides students with snacks, tutoring, and an opportunity to meet other kids and participate in exciting, hands-on science projects and computer activities. 

Interested in enrolling your keiki in our Hā Initiative Program? Email hcapstem@hcapweb.org or learn more about the Hā Initiative here.

Need a Job? These Nā Lima Hana Partner Companies are Hiring!

One of the key components of our Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program is helping our participants find employment by establishing partnerships with companies on Oʻahu. In the past few weeks, our ECS staff have been working with potential partners to establish relationships and refer qualified applicants to their companies.

The first company our ECS staff met with was Alcal Specialty Contracting Inc., a sub-contracting firm which employs over 900 people in its branches located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and Hawaiʻi. The company installs products including roofing, waterproofing, insulation, firestop, contract glazing, and garage doors for both commercial and residential construction. In their meeting with company representative Samantha, our staff learned that Alcal Specialty Contracting Inc. offers a variety of entry-level positions, including warehouse worker and delivery driver. Basic qualifications for any position with the company include having a driver’s license, being able to lift 75 pounds, having a high-school diploma or GED, and being able to pass a drug test. Full-time employees start receiving company benefits within the first month of being employed. Part-time workers will receive union benefits within 6 months of employment and company benefits after working for 1 year. Our ECS staff are very excited to continue collaborating with Alcal Specialty Contracting Inc. and referring our ECS participants who are interested and qualified for their open positions.

In the past few weeks our staff also met with Ilisa, a Recruitment Manager for Aloha Hospitality Professionals (AHP). AHP offers a wide variety of full-time and part-time work across many different career fields. They look for workers who are interested in hospitality, janitorial, clerical, administrative, and service careers. Ilisa also shared with our ECS staff that AHP is looking for workers who are positive, consistent, and eager to work. AHP also works with Second Chance businesses who offer work to those with criminal backgrounds. Furthermore, dental, vision, and medical benefits are offered to employees of AHP. This was a great start to developing an active partnership with Aloha Hospitality Professionals and our ECS staff are eager to share this opportunity with our participants.

To learn more about our Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, click here.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Delivers Ready to Learn School Supplies to Families in Need

Each year, the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. delivers school supplies to families in need through our partnership with Helping Hands Hawai’iʻs Ready to Learn School Supply Drive. This year our Kalihi-Palama District Service Center led the charge and recently delivered school supplies to 88 families! Ready to Learn is always an important initiative, but this year is especially important in helping to ease the financial burden of families affected by COVID-19. 

During the deliveries, families were also informed of other HCAP programs and services such as our Kokua Food Assistance Program grocery gift cards and food pantry services and Hale Kākou Programʻs utility assistance. It is our hope that the families served through Ready to Learn may also benefit from HCAP’s wrap-around services and help their households weather the aftermath of the pandemic.

To learn more about the programs and services that HCAP offers, please call your nearest District Service Center.

Salt Lake Head Start Keiki and their Families Design Their Own Pencil Boxes!

This past week, the Head Start keiki at Salt Lake designed their own pencil boxes using a variety of stickers and art supplies as part of their Family Engagement Activity. The children focused on their fine motor skills while peeling stickers and decorating their boxes. This was also a great bonding activity for our keiki, caregivers, and teachers as they prepare for the upcoming school year!

We are continuing to accept Head Start applications for School Year 2021-2022! To apply, visit: https://www.hcapweb.org/headstart/head-start-application/