HCAP WEEKLY March 8, 2021

After Experiencing Homelessness for Six Years, Client Finds Permanent Housing

Wilfredo was referred to our HCAP Rapid Re-housing Program from Partners in Care’s Landlord Engagement Program. Our staff was informed that Wilfredo was chronically homeless and was looking for a place to call home. He had experienced some brief trouble with the law seven years ago and was facing deportation at the time. He used his savings and monetary help from a family member to clear up the immigration case, but he was unfortunately evicted for not paying his rent. Wilfredo was determined to stay in Hawaiʻi, but the consequences of doing so left him homeless and broke. Since becoming homeless, Wilfredo has lived within the Hawaiʻi Kai to Mōʻiliʻili area for the past six years. He often could be seen pushing his wheelchair around, sleeping on the sidewalk in front of Kōkua Market or reading the newspaper at the bus stop in front of the 7-Eleven. This is where our Rapid Re-Housing Specialist found Wilfredo to offer him assistance. Our staff learned that Wilfredo has suffered from cerebral palsy his entire life, and while it is difficult for him to live independently, he is determined to live his life to the fullest. After learning about HCAP services, Wilfredo was very excited at the possibility of moving off the streets and into permanent housing. “I am too old to be on the streets anymore,” he shared with our staff.

Together with Partner in Care’s Landlord Engagement Program, our staff worked to locate a unit for Wilfredo and conduct landlord engagements to ensure that he would have a smooth transition in permanent housing. We are excited to share that Wilfredo recently signed a lease for a large room in an excellent shared home in Wahiawā. After the first night in his new home, he messaged his Rapid Re-Housing Specialist the following: “Good Morning Jennifer. I feel well rested now thanks to you. I can get good sleep and stay clean.”

We are still working with Wilfredo to help him get a Government ID, Social Security Card, and household items for his new home. Now that he is safe, secure and housed, we believe Wilfredo has a better future ahead of him.

Hā Initiative Wins Team Model Award at FIRST LEGO League Expo!

After weeks of preparations, our Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students were excited to participate in the FIRST LEGO League Expo!  Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, our Hā Initiative Explorer Team (7-10 year olds) preserved and formed their team for the Statewide competition. Normally around 50-60 teams participate from across the state, but due to the pandemic, only a handful of teams, including our Hā Initiative students, had the ability and resources to participate. The theme of this year’s competition was exercise and the students got right to work coming up with their project. After researching and developing their project, the Hā Initiative team presented their LEGO model gym to reviewers Ms. Danette and Ms. Megan. The Hā Initiative team used the WeDo 2.0 robotics kit to program a heart rate monitor, which they demonstrated will go up as a person is exercising on a treadmill. The team shared that their model gym practices social distancing, maintains good air circulation, and provides hand sanitizing and cleaning stations for users. The main features of the model gym includes a pull-up bar, treadmill, and tire lift, which the team explained would provide a full-body workout. Additionally, the gym would help users to raise their heart rate and decrease the risks of high blood pressure and other health diseases. 

After their presentation, the team waited in anticipation for the results. All their hard work paid off when they were awarded the Team Model Award for working together and building an excellent model! We thank the reviewers and organizers of this year’s FIRST LEGO League Expo for making this event a reality for students. Our students had so much fun and we hope to participate again next year!

Client Impacted by COVID-19 Receives Rental and Food Assistance from HCAP Programs

In November 2020, James sought assistance from HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center for his past due rental payments He had just started a business at the beginning of 2020 but unfortunately, it was brought to a complete halt upon the arrival of COVID-19. Along with the pandemic came a string of uncertainties and newfound struggles for James. With the help of the Leahi District Community Workers, James applied for assistance from HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program. Shortly after, James’ application was approved and he was able to pay off his past due rent bills! James has also received food assistance from HCAP’s Kōkua Food Assistance Program. James expressed his gratitude to our staff and we are happy to have provided him with needed support, especially through these challenging times.

HCAP Head Start Keiki Develop New Skills and Build Confidence at Home!

It’s been another busy week for our HCAP Head Start keiki as they continue their distance learning at home. This week our keiki engaged in a variety of activities, all of which helped them develop new skills and build confidence. Here’s what three of our keiki were up to this week!

Nya from Kalihi Kai developed her vocabulary skills while playing doctor with her toy doll. First, Nya was instructed to recall previous experiences with her doctor. Then she practiced her vocabulary and communication skills with her patient. Next, Nya learned to use a stethoscope and listened to the patient’s heart. During this activity Nya was able to identify roles, such as the doctor and the patient, and also developed confidence in her communication skills! Great work Nya!

This week, HCAP Head Start keiki Jewel and her younger brother Joshiah sang and danced to the Body Calm Second Step song! Jewel’s teacher taught her the words and movements to the song in her previous Zoom session, and she now applies her knowledge with confidence! Through this exercise, Jewel is developing her listening and movement skills, which will hopefully build her confidence as she prepares for kindergarten!

Arayah from Keiki Country 1 created a calming bottle with the help of her teachers and her mom. The calming bottle was made of oil, blue food coloring, and glitter! The activity helped Aryah develop her motor skills as well as her emotional awareness. After finishing the activity, Aryah’s teacher asked, “When you are angry, how do you feel when you are holding your calming bottle?” Arayah answered, “It makes me happy!”