HCAP WEEKLY July 3, 2023

Nā Lima Hana Partners with the YWCA

Building partnerships with key organizations is essential for the success of HCAP’s clients. The Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program (ECS) team joined forces with the YWCA where they met with Chief Executive Officer, Noriko Namiki and Economic Advancement Director, Stephanie Hamano. This partnership strengthens the common goal of serving and empowering the targeted population of our community’s underserved women. The YWCA offers a wide array of services that help to uplift women who are transiting back into the workforce. These services include providing interview clothes, offering financial advisement and career-building courses, and teaching job readiness training, just to name a few.

By partnering together, both organizations are able to enhance each other’s services and offer additional resources to these vulnerable women. The vision of HCAP and the YWCA is that by providing direct services with as many resources as possible, we can empower the women on Oʻahu to reach their goals and become successful contributors to our society.

Click Here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana

Tubes and Tunnels at Head Start 

The keiki at Ewa PrePlus Head Start are studying tubes and tunnels. As a way to make real-life connections, the keiki stood in a line and patiently waited for their turn to crawl through the tunnel. They pretended it was a carnival attraction and provided a ticket to crawl through the tunnel. From presenting the pretend ticket to using hand-eye coordination while maneuvering through the tunnel, every step of the process engaged the keiki’s gross motor skills. Gross motor skills assist in children’s overall development as it provides them with the ability to navigate their physical environment and increases cognitive development.

Click Here for more information about Head Start & Early Head Start.

Esports with the Hā Initiative  

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program invited students and neighborhood friends to participate in their first esports event: a Mario Kart Tournament. Esports has been gaining popularity this summer at the STEM Exploration Center at HCAP’s Central District Service Center.

After the daily “Brain Time” and STEM Activity, students set up the video game system to play during their free exploration time. The STEM students taught each other correct technology terms like connecting the CPU and Monitor with a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable. Prior to the tournament, students were using their knowledge of technology to look up videos on the mechanics of gameplay. 

The tournament format itself became a lesson in math. To qualify for the championship round, hopeful participants needed to register for one of the four qualifying rounds, and the winner of each match faced off in the final round. At first, students would register in the same game to stay with their friends but after a quick chat about probability and percentages, the students strategically decided to spread out to increase their chances in the tournament.

Mr. Justin, who visited from the Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, helped host the tournament and organized the twelve participants, while junior mentor Mr. Minjun – a competitive esports enthusiast – officiated the rules and settings for the races. The four finalists were awarded with prizes.

Click Here to learn more about the Hā Initiative.