HCAP Weekly November 23, 2015

In this week’s issue:

Mayor Kirk Caldwell Proclaims December 1, 2015 to be #GivingTuesday
Kumuhona Transitional Living Center Staff Attend the Annual Homeless Awareness Conference
HCAP Staff Distribute Food and Blankets to Houseless Community Near the Waianae Boat Harbor
The Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Helps Couple Keep their Home
HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program Shares Holiday Energy Saving Tips
Starbucks Managers Help Youth Services Students with Resumes and Job Interviews

Mayor Kirk Caldwell Proclaims December 1, 2015 to be #GivingTuesday

Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) is excited to participate once again in the annual #GivingTuesday campaign. On November 23, 2015, Kirk Caldwell, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, proclaimed December 1, 2015 to be #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday recognizes the tremendous impact of philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service in the City and County of Honolulu and encourages citizens to join together to give back to the community in any way that is personally meaningful. With the power of the social media hashtag #GivingTuesday, the movement invites people around the world to participate in conversations surrounding charity.

Michael Hane, Director of Planning, Program Development and Communications, Lynn Cabato, Head Start Director, Robert Naniole, Director of Community Services, and Terah Summers, HCAP’s Development and Communications AmeriCorps VISTA, received the Mayoral Proclamation on behalf of the agency. Mayor Kirk Caldwell spoke with them about the purpose and history of #GivingTuesday as well as HCAP’s involvement in this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign. They also discussed ways in which the message of #GivingTuesday could be spread throughout the Oahu community. HCAP is honored to have been presented this Mayoral Proclamation and would like to thank Mayor Kirk Caldwell for supporting #GivingTuesday.

Kumuhona Transitional Living Center Staff Attend the Annual Homeless Awareness Conference

The Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center staff attended the annual Homeless Awareness conference held at the Pacific Beach Hotel, Friday November 20th, 2015. Kumuhonua was an event sponsor and hosted a display board to share information with conference attendees regarding Kumuhonua resources and other HCAP programs. Kumuhonua’s Lead Community Manager Kainani was a co-emcee of the event and the turnout was one of the highest ever at approximately 350 people! Guest speakers included both Governor David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who provided updates on their respective administration’s work regarding the issue of homelessness. The keynote speaker was Ka’ala Souza, whose topic was “Think Nui: Leading Stronger by Thinking Bigger.” It was a valuable event for all attendees and Kumuhonua staff were glad to see that so many people are working to help the homeless.

HCAP Staff Distribute Food and Blankets to Houseless Community Near the Waianae Boat Harbor

Early morning on the Leeward Coast of Oahu, the ocean was blanketed in glitter as the sun finally poked its head out from behind the clouds. It was as though even the weather sensed there was a special event that day and didn’t want to spoil the fun. Inside the Leeward District Service Center’s kitchen, HCAP staff were cooking up a storm. They prepped lunch plates filled with warm spaghetti, fresh salad and dessert. But beyond the ono food, the spirit of Aloha was cooking up in Waianae.

On November 24th, in the spirit of #GivingTuesday, HCAP’s Head Start Family Advocates, Leeward District Service Center’s staff, Pastor Virgil, Na Lima Hana Employment Core Program Manager James Upega, and HCAP’s AmeriCorps VISTA’s Terah and Marie, all gathered to distribute plate lunches, water bottles, and blankets to the houseless community living in the brush near the Waianae Boat Harbor. There are approximately 100 dwellings in the community with nearly 250 residents. HCAP staff carried the plate lunches, water bottles and bags of blankets as they ventured through the brush where the residents of the houseless community live in clusters of tents. They also handed out brochures to spread the word of HCAP’s various programs and services. As HCAP staff weaved through the tents, they spoke with residents who expressed heartfelt words of gratitude and wished HCAP staff a Happy Thanksgiving.

By the afternoon, heat waves pulsed down and sweat began to form on the foreheads of the HCAP staff. But the day of giving back was not finished. Everyone pitched in to help with Ohana Produce distribution. In partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank HCAP’s Ohana Produce distributes fresh produce and non-perishables to individuals and families in need. Two trucks came to drop off food. There was a variety of food such as eggs, cherries, pineapples, lettuce, eggplants, rice, snack food like graham crackers, loafs of bread, and even apple pies! HCAP staff and volunteers joined hands and worked hard until the late afternoon, passing out food to over 250 individuals.

At the end of the day, the sky was an orb of pinks and purples. As everyone got into their cars to depart from the Leeward District Service Center, they reflected on the day’s events. Everyone was reminded of the importance of supporting each other in times of need.

The Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program Helps Couple Keep their Home

Joann and David came seeking employment services because they were on the verge of losing their home and needed to find a job to save their home. The couple knew that should they lose their home, they would have nowhere to go. Therefore finding stable employment was a necessity. Both had been unemployed for some time but did have the necessary skills to gain employment. Both Joann and David were enrolled into HCAP’s Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program. Within days David was able to secure a full-time position as an Air Conditioner Installer. Joann went on to attend and complete job readiness training and continued to job search. Two months later, Joann is attending job orientation and will soon be starting work at Ross. Joann and David are relieved and thankful, as they will be able to keep their home.

HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program Shares Holiday Energy Saving Tips

While holidays are a time for abundance of joy, take time to reduce your energy usage. There are several ways to help lessen the cost of energy while enjoying the holiday season!

1. Make sure that you turn off interior lights – especially when using holiday decorations. If you have your holiday tree lights up, take time to enjoy the glow and turn off overhead lights in the room.

2. Use fans to help move air rather than turning up the AC. When your home is filled with family, it can be warm! An electric fan running continuously uses less energy than turning on the air conditioning.

3. During the day, cover your south facing windows to reduce the amount of heat absorbed in your home from the sun.

4. If you are buying appliances during the holiday sales, remember to look for energy star appliances. These are more efficient and use less energy.

5. Make sure to have low energy bulbs, showerheads, and other cost effective devices in your home.

For more information on making your home energy efficient, call (808) 521-4531 and ask for Keith. Our Weatherization Assistance Program can visit your home and perform an assessment. We also have materials and information available to help keep your energy bills from eating away at your budget!

Starbucks Managers Help Youth Services Students with Resumes and Job Interviews

Recently, Youth Services C-Base students worked with Starbucks managers to draft a resume. The managers from Starbucks were able to work one-on–one with each student to provide their perspectives on what they look for when hiring. The managers also assisted the students with mock interviewing. The anxiety and nerves were clearly evident but they did an amazing job, and they also received valuable constructive criticism on how to do even better. A very big MAHALO to Starbucks for their continued partnership with HCAP Youth Services and for all the amazing work they do in our communities.