HCAP Weekly November 16, 2015

In this week’s issue:

Cross-Training Development Emphasizes “Service with Aloha”
You are Never too Young to be “Waste Wise”!
Hawaii News Now Anchor Reads to Head Start Children
HCAP Staff Get their #Unselfie on for #GivingTuesday!
The Kalihi-Palama and Central District Service Centers Spread Joy with Thanksgiving Holiday Baskets
HCAP Participates in the Aloha United Way Annual Campaign

Cross-Training Development Emphasizes “Service with Aloha”

“If you saw Bill Gates or Donald Trump in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel lobby, how would you describe to them what your program does in five to ten minutes?” One by one, HCAP’s program managers took the stage. This exercise was one of the many activities done during HCAP’s cross-training development at the Central District Service Center. On November 18th, the managers from HCAP’s various programs gathered for the training in order to share program goals, insights and opportunities for collaboration. The theme of the training was “Service with Aloha.” This theme helped to remind everyone to always work with clients from a place of love and kindness.

The cross-training development offered HCAP staff the opportunity to reflect on each program’s general procedures and wrap-around services. Program Managers from Head Start, Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, Youth Services, Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, Kumuhonua Tranisitional Living Center, Senior Community Service Employment Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Kupuna Independent Life Series, educated staff about their program’s target clients and functions. By gaining insight into each program’s activities and the resources available, HCAP’s Program Managers and personnel can better address client needs. In addition, this offered the opportunity for client referrals between different programs.

After each Program Manager spoke, HCAP staff separated into five groups (representative of HCAP’s five District Service Centers). Each group was asked to reflect on recent activities they have done which have impacted the community. Afterwards they were asked to come up with three new projects they want to pursue. They also discussed what steps would need to be taken in order to organize those projects. Many new ideas were discussed and inspiration began to stir within the groups. Most exciting were the ideas that incorporated two or more programs working together to benefit their clients. With representation from all of HCAP’s programs, there was wealth of knowledge shared and new ideas to be explored.

At the closing of the cross-training development, Pastor Virgil asked staff to join hands in a circle and share some words that described the training. Many words like ohana, kuleana, family, inspiration, collaboration, and laulima were shared. Pastor Virgil left staff with inspiring parting words which reminded everyone that the words shared were all connected to serving with Aloha and arms open with love.

You are Never too Young to be “Waste Wise”!

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s younger participants are getting ready to shine in the upcoming Waste Wise Showcase for Junior FIRST LEGO League competition. Designed for youth from 6 to 9 years old, this year’s competition addresses the issue of waste. Participants leaned about commonly found trash items, how those items are discarded and purged, and how the trash can be better managed. The children also incorporate LEGO materials into their insightful presentations. The theme of this competition coincides with the older youth FIRST LEGO League competition focus of “Trash Trek”.

Teams from the Hā Initiative will build an online showcase for other teams to view. This gives an opportunity to share information with teams throughout the world. It also lets participants see waste management techniques to decrease environmental damage and learn innovative designs to reuse waste products. The teams will also present their showcase findings at The Blaisdell Center during the Junior LEGO League Expo on December 5th. This event is open to the public at 9:30 am. All five of the STEM Exploration Centers hope to ‘wow’ spectators with their wisdom and creativity.

Throughout the process of LEGO participation, the Hā Initiative program strives to introduce various STEM related topics to the participants. The opportunity to participate with the FIRST LEGO League competitions helps to provide a bridge of understanding between educational information and real-life situations. The participants also learn collaboration, presentation, and time-management skills. Giving youth hands on experience when learning STEM topics is a primary goal for the Hā Initiative.

If you are interested in helping inspire youth in our STEM programs, please contact Marie at (808) 447-5444 and or Kim at (808) 447-5440.

Hawaii News Now Anchor Reads to Head Start Children

In celebration of National Young Reader’s Week, the children, staff, and families of Salt Lake Pre-Plus had the pleasure of welcoming Lisa Kubota as their special guest reader. Lisa Kubota, a reporter and anchor for Hawaii News Now, talked to the children about her job. She also talked about the importance of reading together as a family. Finally, she read “Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses” by Kimberly and James Dean. The children learned to identify different feelings, such as happy and frustrated, as well as ways to manage strong feelings.

HCAP Head Start would like to send thank Lisa for taking the time to inspire and read to the Head Start children.

HCAP Staff Get their #Unselfie on for #GivingTuesday!

In case you didn’t hear, HCAP is gearing up for #GivingTuesday coming up on December 1, 2015. What is #GivingTuesday you might ask? #GivingTuesday is a new day of giving added to the national calendar on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

In the spirit of this year’s #GivingTuesday, HCAP is encouraging the act of selflessness by hosting and highlighting various program events throughout the month of November. You’ll be able to follow our coverage of the events on HCAP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and in the HCAP Weekly.

Our staff have also been taking #Unselfie photos throughout the week, sharing how or why they volunteer and/or donate.

The Kalihi-Palama and Central District Service Centers Spread Joy with Thanksgiving Holiday Baskets

Thanksgiving is on the way and HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama and Central District Service Centers are gearing up for the holiday. In the past few weeks, staff from both sites began assembling Thanksgiving Holiday Baskets to distribute in the area. The food baskets consisted of a variety of canned goods and non-perishable foods such as canned meats, soups, vegetables, fruits, cereal and saimin. Hygiene products were also included to help the families out this month.

The Kalihi-Palama District Service Center has partnered with the Hawaii Foodbank, and together they will provide food to needy individuals and families. Holiday baskets were made after Kalihi-Palama District Service Center received a mass distribution of food from the Hawaii Food Bank. The baskets were given to families who qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. On November 3, Kalihi-Palama staff gave out over 80 holiday baskets at Kalihi-Valley Homes and many of the families expressed their sincere gratitude. The Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff hopes that the baskets spread a little joy and happiness this Thanksgiving.

The Central District Service Center collaborated with Holomua Elementary school, Head Start Family Advocates Robyn Kaneakua, Alisa Small, intern Amanda, SCSEP participant Frances and SNAP participant Kala in putting together food baskets for the Waikele/ Waipahu Community, and Waipahu Park’s Head Start families.

Holomua Elementary School participates in canned food and hygiene drives twice a year and has partnered with the Central District Service Center for the past several years to distribute the items collected to families and individuals in their community.

Mahalo to all those involved who helped make these Holiday Baskets!

HCAP Participates in the Aloha United Way Annual Campaign

HCAP is proud to be one of Aloha United Way’s (AUW) partner agencies, and is currently participating in the AUW Annual Campaign. Aloha United Way supports 342 local nonprofits that deliver a wide range of services to the Hawaii community through over 600 individual programs to over 850,000 beneficiaries each year. Each year, Aloha United Way hosts a campaign that educates employees about giving opportunities and allows them to make informed giving decisions.

This week, HCAP’s AUW campaign kicked off with a bento luncheon. Staff purchased an ono bento with proceeds to be donated to Aloha United Way. HCAP’s AUW campaign also included hosting a White Elephant Silent Auction, in which HCAP staff donated gently used items.

Thank you to all staff who participated in the bento luncheon, the White Elephant Silent Auction, and those who made individual donations to AUW!