HCAP Weekly November 25, 2019

Na Lima Hana Program Provides Tuition Assistance for Vocational Training
#GivingTuesday is Just Four Days Away
Kainalu Elementary Head Start Hosts Family Engagement
SCSEP Participants Discuss Advance Medical Planning
Windward District Service Center Establishes Partnership with RYSE

Na Lima Hana Program Provides Tuition Assistance for Vocational Training

Sean came to HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center for vocational training assistance. Sean was at a crossroads in his career. Sean had a background in massage therapy and has been providing massage services to family and friends for a while. But without a massage therapist license, he would be unable to provide services to the wider public.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center’s community workers referred Sean to the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. Upon enrolling in the ECS Program, he received help developing his resume and preparing for job interviews. With the help of ECS funds, HCAP was able to help Sean fulfill his dream of attending massage school, providing direct tuition assistance. Sean is currently enrolled in the Hawaii Massage Academy and one step closer to becoming a licensed massage therapist.

#GivingTuesday is Just Four Days Away

We are just four days away from #GivingTuesday 2019. As a calendar day dedicated to giving, HCAP’s District Service Centers and Programs are giving back to the community through projects and events.

Here are some of the upcoming events that are planned for HCAP’s #GivingTuesday 2019:

Head Start – Head Start classrooms will be running a toilet paper drive. All toilet paper collected will be donated to individuals and families living in homeless shelters.

Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program – STEM students will be writing and decorating thank you cards and giving them to their teachers and parents or guardians.

Central District Service Center – Central District Service Center staff will distribute donated items from Helemano Elementary’s canned food and hygiene product drive to individuals and families around their community.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center – Kalihi-Palama District Service Center staff will volunteer their time at Hawaii Foodbank’s salvage department and sort canned goods and hygiene products.

Leahi District Service Center – Leahi District Service Center staff will volunteer their time at the Franciscan Adult Day Center.

Leeward District Service Center – The seniors at Leeward District Service Center’s Kupuna Independent Life Series will complete their #UNselfie, writing about why they volunteer or give back.

Windward District Service Center – Windward District Service Center staff will provide families of Waimanalo’s “houseless” encampment with clothing, food, and hygiene goods.

Kainalu Elementary Head Start Hosts Family Engagement

Last month, the children at Kainalu Elementary Head Start gathered with family members for their Box Car Parade, an annual family engagement event.

The families helped their children decorate their box cars and brought them to class to parade through Kainalu Elementary’s office, cafeteria, and kindergarten and first grade classrooms. Kainalu Elementary Head Start staff then set up a box car race on the grass by the courtyard.

Following the box car race, Head Start staff invited families to watch Kumu Ka’olu offer prayers and blessings to Kainalu Elementary Head Start’s newly installed playground structure. The children love the play structure; it is such a nice addition to their outdoor play area.

SCSEP Participants Discuss Advance Medical Planning

Last Monday, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) held their November session of the Kupuna Quality of Life Workshops. Hope Young from Kōkua Mau, a hospice and palliative care organization, discussed the importance of having an advance medical directive prepared. Advance directive is a term used to refer to documents that specify the care a person wishes to have if he or she becomes unable to make medical decisions.

Although many SCSEP participants were initially unsettled by the topic, by the end of the workshop, all of the participants were happy to have sat through and listened to the presentation. SCSEP participants found the information very helpful; those who have not begun planning their advance directives now feel compelled to do so.

Windward District Service Center Establishes Partnership with RYSE

HCAP’s Windward District Service Center staff recently established a new partnership with Residential Youth Services & Empowerment (RYSE). RYSE operates a 24/7 access center where Hawaii’s homeless youth are assessed and referred to appropriate support services.

As part of their partnership with RYSE, Windward District Service Center staff will be implementing the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program on a weekly basis. RYSE offers their current residents a rent-free private room if they search for and obtain employment. The Windward District Service Center staff will be providing the job training skills and referrals needed to help make this happen.