HCAP Weekly June 24, 2019

HCAP Staff Attend CAPLAW National Training Conference
Kumuhonua Resident Obtains Housing on the Big Island
Honolulu STEM Students’ Robots Complete Obstacle Course
Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Distributes 5,623 Pounds of Food
HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Accepting Applications for the 2019-2020 School Year

HCAP Staff Attend CAPLAW National Training Conference

Last week, HCAP Director of Human Resources Jocelyn Banks and Technical Projects Coordinator James “Jojo” Upega attended the 2019 CAPLAW National Training Conference in Charlottesville, North Carolina. CAPLAW provides legal and financial resources for over 1,000 Community Action Agencies nationwide.

The three-day conference kicked off with a Community Building Initiative Bus Tour, in which Jocelyn, JoJo, and staff from Community Action Agencies across the country explored Charlottesville through the lens of equity and opportunity. Community historian Dr. Tom Hanchett provided CAPLAW conference attendees with historical context for points of interest highlighted throughout the bus tour.

Jocelyn and JoJo participated in workshops to learn best practices in human resources, Board governance, and conflict resolution, and gained new ideas to bring back to Hawaii. “The training made me appreciate the sense of ownership we give to Board of Directors in our agency,” JoJo said. “They are not just volunteers. They are active participants and give voice to the most pressing issues.”

Kumuhonua Resident Obtains Housing on the Big Island

Evelyn became homeless in 2017. For close to a year, she lived in her car before transferring to emergency shelters. Following temporary stints in local shelters, Evelyn received and accepted a referral to HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. In September 2018, she moved into Kumuhonua. For Evelyn, Kumuhonua was a godsend: she finally had her own bed and bathroom.

At Kumuhonua, Evelyn received a variety of services that improved her personal well-being. She attended wellness classes with Ke Ola Mamo, checked on her Social Security benefits through disability advocates, and signed up for Meals on Wheels.

As much as Evelyn enjoyed her stay at Kumuhonua, she did not want to waste time in finding a place of her own. With the help of Kumuhonua’s case manager and housing specialist, Evelyn proactively looked for affordable housing. On June 14th, Evelyn fulfilled her dream: she moved to the Big Island, where she secured permanent housing.

Evelyn would like to thank everyone at Kumuhonua for their persistence and most importantly, for believing in her.

Honolulu STEM Students’ Robots Complete Obstacle Course

This week, the students at Hā Initiative: STEM After-School Program’s Honolulu STEM Exploration Center, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, have been assembling Lego robotics. After attaching sensors to their robots and programming their creations, the students were divided into two teams.

Each team was given the ultimate challenge: to successfully navigate their robots through an obstacle course. Both teams were able to build arms for their robots and were able to program the arms to capture an object and take that object to a predetermined location. In the following weeks, Honolulu STEM students will be testing the robots’ sensors and maneuvering them through challenges. Seeing the students come together in their respective teams and successfully complete the obstacle course was truly a rewarding sight.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Distributes 5,623 Pounds of Food

HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, in partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank, held their latest monthly Ohana Produce food distribution at Kalihi Valley Homes. 5,623 pounds of food were distributed.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff would like to thank volunteers from Head Start who helped with the food distribution. It was a bittersweet affair, as it was Aunty Ku’ulei Pili’s last Ohana Produce. Aunty Ku’ulei is retiring from Head Start after 40 years of service.

The remaining 2019 dates for Ohana Produce in Kalihi are the following:
July 19, 2019
August 23, 2019
September 20, 2019
October 18, 2019
November 15, 2019
December 20, 2019

For more information regarding the Ohana Produce Food Distribution, please contact the nearest participating HCAP District Service Center:
Central: 488-6834
Kalihi-Palama: 847-0804
Leeward: 696-4261
Windward: 239-5754

HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start Accepting Applications for the 2019-2020 School Year

Are you or someone you know in need of comprehensive early childhood education? Spread the word! HCAP Head Start & Early Head Start is now accepting applications for children 3-5 years for the 2019-2020 school year. Families are encouraged to apply by calling (808) 847-2400 or visiting our website.