HCAP Weekly March 11, 2019

WAP Client in Waimanalo Saves On Energy Bills with Energy Efficient Devices
Na Lima Hana Helps New Arrival Gain Employment
Windward STEM Students Participate in Hands-On Experiment about Density
HCAP Head Start Teachers Receive Professional Development
HCAP Staff Attend the E Ola Pono Health and Wellness Fair

WAP Client in Waimanalo Saves On Energy Bills with Energy Efficient Devices

Earlier this year, Annabella and several other tenants residing in Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes applied for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) through the Windward District Service Center. Within two weeks after receiving Annabella’s completed application, WAP staff conducted an audit at Annabella’s home.

WAP staff was able to install new LED lightbulbs, faucet aerators, and low-flow showerheads in Annabella’s home. Annabella was thankful for HCAP’s services and hopes to spread the word throughout her rental facility for others to apply. HCAP’s WAP program is looking to service more clients in her neighborhood in the near future.

Na Lima Hana Helps New Arrival Gain Employment

Jessica and her husband came to Oahu on vacation from Alabama a year ago. They fell in love with the island and decided to make Hawaii their new home. Relocating to Hawaii came with challenges as finding employment and housing was not was easy. Jessica first heard of HCAP’s Leeward District Service Center in 2017 when she received a flyer for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

She went to the Leeward District Service Center, where staff enrolled her in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program and helped her set goals. Shortly after Jessica completed Job Readiness Training, she was able to obtain full-time employment as a Charge Nurse at a local nursing home. Jessica has done an amazing job at achieving her personal goals along with completing all of the milestones for the ECS program, including 90 days of employment. Congratulations Jessica on a job well done!

Windward STEM Students Participate in Hands-On Experiment about Density

At HCAP’s Hā Initiative: Creative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) After-School Program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, students at the Windward STEM Exploration Center learned about how the density of an object affects its ability to float.

The students put various liquids (kid-friendly products such as dish soap, water, and hand sanitizer) in a tube. They made predictions and observations during the density experiment. Recording the completed results, the students realized that high density liquids sank to the bottom, while those liquids with lower density – lighter in weight – floated to the top. The students enjoyed learning about density and participating in the hands-on experiment.

HCAP Head Start Teachers Receive Professional Development

Last month, HCAP Head Start teachers in Cluster 1 received professional development on teaching science. The HCAP Head Start trainers, Education Program Manager Erin Basuil and Teacher Mentor Bobbi Beter-Moses, shared different ways the teachers can incorporate science into their classrooms.

They were able to experience various learning materials and activity examples. Additionally, they participated in group work to discuss science objectives for preschoolers and how they correlate with the examples. As an added bonus, the teachers walked away with science-related door prizes! It was a fun and educational training.

HCAP Staff Attend the E Ola Pono Health and Wellness Fair

On March 13th, HCAP staff attended the E Ola Pono Health and Wellness Fair at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu. Staff used the event as an opportunity to promote HCAP’s programs and services. UH-West Oahu students, who attended the health and wellness fair, participated at the interactive booths. Students who visited HCAP’s booth used watercolor markers to color in pages of illustrative inspirational quotes.