HCAP WEEKLY November 20, 2023

Lahaina Family Sends their Gratitude to HCAP Head Start

Yijia Ni and Jason whose family was heavily impacted by the recent Maui wildfires, received crucial assistance from HCAP Head Start. The program facilitated their daughter’s smooth enrollment, providing essential items such as a sleeping blanket, sheets, and school clothing. A dedicated Family Advocate assisted the family in securing subsidies for full-day tuition. The recent approval of these subsidies marks a significant relief in their financial burden. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the steadfast support of all staff members during this challenging period.

I would like to take this opportunity of Thanksgiving to express my sincere thanks to all of my daughter’s teachers and also very grateful for everyone who helped our family during this hard time.

We are from the Lahaina wildfire in Maui and lost everything over one night, feeling very helpless and stressed. Our daughter Kate witnessed the big strong fire, she was afraid a lot and was hurt mentally and emotionally, she wanted to go back to school and socialize with friends. Everyone from the HCAP program helped Kate transfer to HCAP Head Start in Prince Jonah Kūhiō Elementary School. There are many kind people in school. One thing is for sure, our family was so impressed and touched by every help. The first day Kate went to preschool, she received a new blanket, bed sheets, clothes, and her favorite purple dress from all of the kind teachers. Kate feels happy and smiles.

As the saying goes, when you drink water, never forget the man who digs the well! HCAP program, my Family Advocate, Kelsey, and her manager provided resources that… helped my family move forward.

Words can’t express how grateful we are. Thank you! Thank you for your help and support! We really appreciate it!

Thanks and warmest regards,

Yijia Ni & Jason

Click Here to learn more about Head Start & Early Head Start

Weatherization Client Receives New Appliances In Time for the Holidays

In early August, Janice applied for HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) through the Central District Service Center. She first learned of this program while completing her Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program application in June and was happy to learn that she could receive free, energy-efficient devices for her home. Janice was also relieved to learn that this could potentially address some major safety concerns in her home as well.

For a long time, her family had been using an older refrigerator that showed major damage inside and out. The seals along the fridge door were peeling off and different parts of the refrigerator showed patches of rust. A few cracks were found throughout the fridge as well, while some were concealed with pieces of duct tape. With all of these impairments, the fridge was working harder to produce and maintain its cold air properly, causing more electricity to be used in their home. Janice’s stove was another older appliance that they had been cautious with. In the past it had sparked from one of its burners and underneath the stove top, there were many areas covered in rust and holes. As Janice’s home is constantly filled with visitors and her young grandchildren, this was extremely worrisome to have in her kitchen.

During her home energy audit, Janice received energy-saving measures such as low-flow sink aerators in her kitchen and bathrooms, low-flow showerheads, and smart power strips. After a few weeks, Janice was overwhelmed with gratitude to learn that she qualified for a brand-new, 21 cubic-foot refrigerator and stove replacement. She expressed that she is deeply thankful for this program and the appliances received, especially since the holidays are right around the corner. She is excited to share her story with others and hopes that they can find solutions through the Weatherization Assistance Program as well.

Click Here to learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program.

After 10 Years of Homelessness, Kumuhonua Participant Secures Permanent Housing

Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC) congratulates program participant Norman, who has secured permanent housing. Norman started his journey at KTLC in March 2022. Since then, he has been working hard to stay on track toward self-sufficiency by keeping all his meetings with his case manager, receiving help for his mental health needs, and increasing his income by applying for general assistance and SNAP. There have been so many trials and tribulations in Norman’s life but despite the challenges he has encountered, he has received his section 8 voucher and has secured permanent housing in September 2023. With tears in his eyes, he shared that after ten years of being homeless and being in shelters, he is happy to finally have a place to call his own. Norman also stated that he could never express enough how grateful he is for all the love, aloha, and help he has received from KTLC staff and his case manager Carolyn Pule.

KTLC staff are very proud of all the work that was put into making this a successful transition for Norman and would like to wish him the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.

Click Here to learn more about KTLC.