HCAP WEEKLY June 14, 2021

Journey to Recovery: Nā Lima Hana Client Finds Employment, Maintains Sobriety, and Regains Her Confidence

Natalie was first introduced to the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) through Po’ailani, Inc., a non-profit in Kāneʻohe that provides dual diagnosis treatment services for substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses. After learning what HCAP had to offer during a virtual presentation from our Windward District Service Center staff, Natalie immediately reached out and was enrolled in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. In the weeks, that followed Natalie worked closely with the Windward Community Services Specialist to create a resume, prepare for interviews, and explore different employment options.

Natalie was very anxious as she had been dealing with many struggles in life and was now learning how to regain her self-confidence and reintegrate back into society.  Her main focus was to maintain her sobriety, continue with her treatment plan, and attend all her meetings at Po’ailani. Because of these challenges, Natalie was facing several barriers while trying to find employment. Her State I.D. had been lost, her hours of availability for work were limited due to her treatment meetings, and finding a good fit for her vulnerable situation was also a challenge. However, HCAP’s Windward Community Services Specialist and Natalie were able to work together to strategize a plan of action, and also obtain Natalie’s State I.D. through online and mail-in services.   

Natalie put in a lot of hard work and submitted her resume and several employment applications. After a few weeks of job searching, Natalie notified our Windward Community Services Specialist that she had obtained employment as a part-time Market Researcher.  The job fit her needs and time schedule and Natalie was very excited to get started. With the help of the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Service Program, Natalie was also able to receive work attire to make her feel confident when starting her new job.  

Natalie still has a long journey ahead of her to reach recovery and self-sufficiency, but she now has a plan of action and an amazing outlook on life. Natalie has the support of the team at Po’ailani and HCAP’s Windward District Service Center, which will help her maintain her mental health, sobriety, and newfound employment. With her team on her side, Natalie will have access to the resources and care that she needs to continue to thrive.  Natalie is so very grateful and motivated for what is ahead of her.  

Natalie’s story truly defines the meaning of “Community Action”.  It’s about working together as a community, building a team, uplifting an individual, starting where the person is at, taking it one step at a time, and knowing that every little bit of effort or “action” will make a big difference in that person’s life.    

To learn more about our Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Service Program, email NaLimaHana@hcapweb.org.

After Homelessness and Addiction, Couple Finds a Place to Call Home

Frederick and Vincent, a couple referred by the Institute of Human Services (IHS) through the State Coordinated Entry System (CES), came to HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center looking for respite from the streets in July 2020. At first they were not interested in living at Kumuhonua because of the location. However, seeking treatment for drug addiction, the couple soon realized that being on the streets was not an avenue to get clean, especially during a pandemic when most services were restricted. They entered Kumuhonua with the intent of getting and staying clean and had a goal of moving out by November 2020. They agreed during their stay at Kumuhonua they would also enroll in Hina Mauka’s Outpatient Treatment Services, which would provide them with the proper start to begin living a clean and sober life. 

In the months that followed, Kumumhonua’s staff worked closely with the couple to find them stable housing that would help them achieve their sobriety goals. Kumuhonua’ s Case Managers worked in partnership with Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) to obtain permanent housing for Fred and Vincent.

We are very happy to share that Frederick and Vincent’s dedication to being clean and sober and their belief has led them to secure permanent housing in May 2021! With the assistance of Kumuhona and the HHHRC’s housing team, they were able to secure permanent housing while still in recovery. The collaboration between HCAP and HHHRC produced wonderful results and we look forward to working with them in the future to create positive change for our community. We here at HCAP Kumuhonua wish Frederick and Vincent the very best and can’t wait to see them flourish in the months ahead. 

Staff Spotlight: HCAP’s Executive Assistant Makes an Impact through Involvement with the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team (NHPI 3R)

When the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team (NHPI 3R) was established in May 2020, HCAP’s Executive Assistant James “Jojo” Upega jumped into action and joined the effort. “My community was one of the hardest communities hit by the virus and I knew I had to do my part. That is why I joined the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team (NHPI 3R).”

In the following months, Jojo participated in committee meetings, outreach, and volunteered many hours at testing and vaccination events that serviced NHPI and vulnerable populations across Oʻahu. He also connected the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. to the NHPI 3R team to host two vaccination events at HCAP’s Head Start facility in Kunia as well as the HCAP Central District Service Center. Over 200 individuals were able to receive their first vaccinations through these events.

Jojo continues to work with the NHPI 3R team to make sure that vaccinations are available to as many people in his community as possible. “2020 and the past few months have been unlike any other. There have been many challenges brought on by COVID-19 and we are still recovering. The virus has shaken all of our NHPI families, our friends and communities. But we can all do our part to keep each other safe and through efforts being done by the NHPI COVID-19 3R team and our community partners. Community action can literally save lives. That’s why I do what I do.”

Hā Initiative Students Prepare for the First LEGO Robotics Season and Help Keep Their Community Clean!

This week the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program continued to welcome our students back to the classroom for the summer program at our Central, Leeward, and Windward STEM Exploration Centers. It’s been many months since we’ve seen our students in our classrooms for in-person learning, so both our teachers and students have been excited to be back sharing the wonders of STEM together!

Since returning to the classroom, our students have been preparing for the FIRST LEGO League 2021-2020 Robotics Season that begins in August. Together they are exploring the challenges from previous seasons and honing their robotics skills in preparation for the competition. When not learning about robotics, our students have been developing their classroom’s green spaces and discovering their passions for the great outdoors in celebration for National Great Outdoors Month. Students have been cleaning the neighborhood spaces in public areas around their classroom to engage in community work. The students have also planted their own seeds and hope to grow fruits and vegetables to learn more about sustainability. 

It’s still not too late to join the Hā Initiative for our summer program! To learn more about the program and what it offers email hcapstem@hcapweb.org or visit https://www.hcapweb.org/ha-initiative/.

HCAP is Hiring!

Interested in joining the HCAP ʻohana? HCAP is seeking honest, dependable, and hardworking people to help make a positive difference in our organization and the communities we serve.

Current openings include:

• Assistant Head Start Director
• Community Services Specialist (Leahi & Central District Office)
• STEM Program Manager
• STEM PT After-School Teacher
• Receptionist/Secretary I 
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Specialist 
• Head Start Family Advocate 
• Early Head Start Family Advocate
• ERSEA Family Advocate
• Head Start Assistant Teacher
• Head Start Assistant Teacher Trainee
• Head Start Teacher

To learn more about available employment opportunities and how to apply, visit our website at www.hcapweb.org/hcap-employment.