HCAP WEEKLY November 15, 2021

HCAP Wrap Around Services Help Family Regain Employment and Keep on Water and Electricity!

The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. continues to make a difference in people’s lives in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Timothy and his family originally contacted HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center for assistance with their utilities. Timothy had recently lost his job due to the COVID-19 mandates and restrictions and now both Timothy and his wife were struggling to find employment as well as childcare. With lack of appropriate childcare for their two-year old  and their older child being homeschooled, Timothy’s wife was forced to stay home full-time, leaving all the family’s financial responsibility to Timothy. The family soon fell behind on their water and electric bills and decided to reach out for help.

After hearing their story, the staff at our Leahi District Service Center quickly enrolled the family in HCAP’s Hale Kākou CARES Act Assistance Program, which assists individuals and families who have been impacted by COVID-19 with their utility bills. Timothy and his family were approved and received financial assistance through the Hale Kākou Program, which helped them pay for their electric and water bills. Thanks to the program, the family was able to keep their lights on and their water running!

In addition, our staff from Leahi District Service Center worked with Timothy and his wife on identifying additional needs of their family. Timothy was referred to HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana: Employment Core Services (ECS) Program to receive assistance with finding a job. After being enrolled in the ECS Program, Timothy soon completed job readiness training and received job search assistance.  

Due to Timothyʻs hard work and the dedication of our staff, Timothy soon found employment as Lead Landscaper with a local company! Through the ECS Program, Timothy received his initial employment attire to get him started at work. He has now reached his 30 days of employment milestone, and was given incentive gift cards through the ECS Program.

Timothy and his family faced many challenges and obstacles during the pandemic, but they are well on their way to self-sustainability.  They continue to receive help and guidance from the Leahi District Service Center and we look forward to receiving additional updates as they work towards a better future!

To learn more about HCAP’s Hale Kākou Program visit: www.hcapweb.org/hale-kakou/

To learn more about HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana: Employment Core Service Program visit: www.hcapweb.org/na-lima-hana-employment-core-services-program/

Hā Initiative Students Learn about Engineering by Designing Their Own Helicopters!

This week the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program began its new FOSS Variables and Design module! As part of the new module, the students were encouraged to look at the world around them and identify problems that they might want to solve as engineers. With assistance and guidance from their STEM teachers, the students practiced their engineering skills by designing their own helicopters to experiment how mass affects an object’s drop time. Students designed different types of helicopters to test which would fall the fastest and which would fly the longest. In creating their helicopters, the students used various classroom supplies such as nails, magnets, tape, paperclips, and popsicle sticks. The different supplies and styles were used to change the helicopter mass. 

After designing their helicopters it was time for the real fun! The students went outside the classroom and launched their helicopters from the second floor of the classroom building! The students observed and recorded how their helicopterʻs flight time compared to each other based on their helicopter’s design and mass. This was an awesome, hands-on way for the studentʻs to begin to explore basic concepts of engineering!

Want to get your keiki involved in STEM learning? To learn more about the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, visit hcapstem@hcapweb.org.

Let’s Get Moving! HCAP Head Start Keiki Practice their Dance Moves and Fire Drill Procedures!

Freeze Dance 

Our keiki from Palolo II Head Start developed gross motor and listening skills by dancing to the “Freeze” song before heading out to lunch! Head Start teachers incorporated fun transition activities to allow the children enough time to stretch their bodies before moving on to the next learning activity. Keep moving Head Start keiki!

Fire Drill

Last week our keiki from Waimanalo Pre-Plus practiced their fire drill procedure! Head Start teacher Tiffany went over expectations and safety measures during circle time as the class listened for the mock fire alarm. When the alarm went off, the children stopped what they were doing, got in line, and made their way to the designated safe zone outdoors. All the children knew how to exit safely and quickly. Good job everyone!

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Events to Offer the Pfizer Vaccine to Keiki 5 years+ and Booster Doses for Eligible Individuals

Exciting news! HCAP’s upcoming COVID-19 vaccination events are now offering the Pfizer vaccine to keiki 5 years+ as well as booster doses for those 65 years+ or those at increased risk due to underlying conditions or occupation. Please visit our events page on our website to learn about our FREE COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Events around the island: https://www.hcapweb.org/upcoming-vaccination-events/

Bring your whole ‘ohana and join us in keeping our communities safe!