HCAP WEEKLY JUNE 29, 2020

HCAP Board Chair Named Outstanding Government Leader
HCAP January – March 2020 Quarterly Newsletter
Kalihi-Palama District Service Center and Pūnāwai Rest Stop Provide Collaborative Services to Homeless
HCAP Selects A New Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Coordinator
HCAP Selects A New Weatherization Assistance Program Coordinator

HCAP Board Chair Named Outstanding Government Leader

HCAP would like to congratulate Edward “Eddie” Mersereau, State of Hawaii Deputy Director of Behavioral Health and HCAP Board Chair, who was named Outstanding Government Leader by Mental Health America of Hawai‘i, a leading non-profit mental health education and advocacy organization. Eddie is one of six honorees being recognized for their leadership and contributions to the mental health sector.

Eddie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Hawaii State Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) with 30 years of clinical practice experience. In 2007, he founded and managed a successful behavioral health practice here in Hawaii before coming to the Department of Health in November of 2015 as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administrator. In January 2019, Mr. Mersereau was appointed under Governor Ige’s administration as Deputy Director for the Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration which oversees the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, Adult Mental Health Division, Hawaii State Hospital, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and Developmental Disabilities Division.

Eddie first joined our HCAP ohana as a representative on our Central District Advisory Council and currently serves as HCAP Board Chair. He has provided an incredible amount of time, dedication and support to our agency. We are so grateful for his leadership and commitment to serving our community and we want to congratulate him on this well deserved honor and achievement.

HCAP January – March 2020 Quarterly Newsletter

We’re excited to share the January – March 2020 issue of Ku`i Na Lono: Spread the News. Featuring these stories and more:

• Nā Lima Hana Program Participant Receives Tuition

• Lincoln STEM Exploration StudentsParticipate in Science Fair

• Kumuhonua Helps Mother and Son Transition Back into Society

• LIHEAP Provides Lifeline for Retired Senior on Limited Income

Download the January – March 2020 Quarterly here.

View past Quarterly Newsletters Here.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center and Pūnāwai Rest Stop Provide Collaborative Services to Homeless

HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff have been working closely with our partners to continue providing services despite COVID-19 closures. One such partner is Pūnāwai Rest Stop, a hygiene center operated by the City & County of Honolulu and Mental Health Kokua which provides free restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities to homeless men, women and children.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff teamed up with Pūnāwai to provide HCAP’s Employment Core Services to homeless clients. Additionally, Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff distributed food from our pantry to homeless individuals and families that utilize Pūnāwai’s facilities.

Our agency is fortunate to have strong partnerships that allow us to deliver a variety of services to our communities. Mahalo Pūnāwai for your partnership. We are looking forward to working together in the months ahead!

HCAP Selects A New Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Coordinator

The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (“HCAP”), a private non-profit community action agency assisting Oahu’s low-income residents to achieve self-reliance since 1965, is pleased to announce that Reiko Su’a has been selected as HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program Coordinator. She will be responsible for administering the program, including program development, operations, oversight and evaluation, to provide employment readiness and job development services to unemployed and underemployed low-income individuals on Oahu.

Reiko began her employment at HCAP in 2015 as a Community Worker at the Windward District Service Center, became a Senior Community Services Employment Program Counselor in 2018, and was most recently Program Coordinator for HCAP’s Ho`omau Ka`Ike Nānā Ke Kūpuna Employment Program. Reiko holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

Robin Fakaosi, HCAP Interim Director of Community Services, states “Reiko has developed a wide range of experience with various programs and services in her previous positions at HCAP. After being promoted from Program Counselor to Program Coordinator of our senior employment program, she was able to maintain high quality program services and administrative oversight. I believe Reiko will make a smooth transition to the ECS program and continue to serve our clients and community well.”

HCAP Selects A New Weatherization Assistance Program Coordinator

The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (“HCAP”), a private non- profit community action agency assisting Oahu’s low-income residents to achieve self-reliance since 1965, is pleased to announce that Georgette Aki has been promoted to HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Coordinator. She will be responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program, a program that helps households decrease energy consumption and utility costs by providing energy education and free energy-saving measures.

Georgette first joined HCAP in 2009 as a Community Worker at the Leeward District Service Center. Most recently, she was HCAP’s WAP Specialist. Her duties included maintaining client files, coordinating services with district service center staff, evaluating client eligibility, and conducting home energy audits. Georgette also has prior experience as a Program Specialist and Outreach Worker at other local community non-profit organizations.

Robin Fakaosi, HCAP Interim Director of Community Services, states “Georgette has done a great job as the WAP Specialist and is well deserving of her promotion to WAP Coordinator. I’m confident she will flourish in her new position and build upon the solid foundation she has helped to establish.”