HCAP Weekly July 7, 2014

Photo of STEM participants

In this week’s issue:

Farewell to HCAP’s AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer
HCAP’s Wrap Around Services Help Clients Gain Self-Sufficiency
Summer FUN and Learning at the Leeward STEM Exploration Center
Hard Work and Commitment Lead to Independence for Kumuhonua Residents


Farewell to HCAP’s AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer

Photo of Jenn- VISTA Volunteer
We would like to give our sincerest mahalos and best wishes to Jennifer Barillaro, AmeriCorps VISTA member. Jennifer joined the HCAP ohana 1 year ago as a VISTA volunteer for the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, with the goal of developing and growing the volunteer base for the program. Jenn has done an amazing job recruiting and working tirelessly with volunteers, who are vital to the success of the Hā Initiative. Jenn has completed her duties and time with the AmeriCorps program and will be leaving HCAP to pursue her dreams. Good luck in everything you do, Jenn!


HCAP’s Wrap Around Services Help Clients Gain Self-Sufficiency

Photo of Nanette
Nanette, a resident at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center took advantage of all the services offered through HCAP and registered for the Na Lima Hana- Employment Core Services Program (ECS). When Nanette and her husband first moved into Kumuhonua, they did not have a car, so she needed a job that that was located near to Kumuhonua. She applied at Tamura’s Market and was hired. Then, Nanette’s case manager at Kumuhonua (Steve), advised her to apply for the Kumuhonua Resident Aide position. Nanette is now working for Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center as a Resident Aide. She is on her way to completing Milestones 4 and 5 of the ECS program, which is maintaining employment for 60 and 90 days.

Nanette shared with us, “We would like to thank HCAP and Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center for the huge impact you have made in our lives. You have got us out of homelessness and into a life flowing with milk and honey. These programs are necessary to help get us out of lives of destruction, to give us a second chance at life. It is hard to express and put into words to express our gratitude. We are forever grateful. The program has given my husband and I so much hope for the future.”


Summer FUN and Learning at the Leeward STEM Exploration Center

Photo of STEM participants
This summer, students at the Hā Initiative’s Leeward STEM Exploration Center are learning about a variety of topics ranging from music to mechanical engineering to rocketry in an air-conditioned environment and using a professional sound studio. All topics are geared toward Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) with an understanding that math is central to the entire framework of STEM. STEM students are exposed to next grade level math during summer vacation so that they will not “lose ground” during the break. In the accompanying photos, students Kassidy & Riley work on the “Spaghetti Challenge”, a project in conjunction with a spaghetti dinner. The goal is to build a structure of dry spaghetti, marshmallows, tootsie rolls & chocolate as tall as possible and have it support a designated weight for 30 seconds. Students Ainakoa & Kaimana work with Jr. Leader, Tammi on design and building of air pressure rockets with a launcher built of PVC pipe and a sprinkler valve capable of 75psi. Rockets are made from one (1) sheet of paper and masking tape. They are able to fly approximately 150 feet and are an inexpensive way to teach principles of basic rocketry. Student, Kassidy works with volunteer, Mr. Preston in the music studio learning the principles of octaves & harmonics. Mr. Preston is an accomplished musician, sound engineer, and active duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard.


Hard Work and Commitment Lead to Independence for Kumuhonua Residents

Rose became homeless in January of 2012 and eventually “got tired of going from house to house.” She applied and was accepted into the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center in October of 2012. During her stay at Kumuhonua, she completed numerous of classes which included financial literacy workshops through Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA,) nutrition workshops, job readiness workshops, and employment workshops just to name a few. As a result of her commitment and hard work, Rose became a staff member as a Resident Aide at Kumuhonua in July 2013. In addition, Rose was able to reunite with her daughter, Sammilyn who also became a resident of Kumuhonua in October of 2013.

In June 2014, Rose and Sammilyn secured permanent housing. As a result of their diligence to saving, being proactive with financial literacy workshops, and working closely with their financial counselor and case manager, they qualified for several renters’ assistance programs. This family was an absolute joy to work with, and we could not have been happier to see all the benefits they were able to utilize when securing permanent housing. We wish them all the best!