HCAP WEEKLY November 7, 2022

Celebrating Our Veterans and U.S. VETS Partnership

This Veterans Day, HCAP honors and thanks all those who are currently serving and have served in the U.S. armed forces, including HCAP employees Ace Tufu, Jonathan Martin, Echo Sunday Tufu, James “JoJo” Upega, and Nani Kuahuia. Mahalo for your service.

HCAP provides assistance to veterans in need throughout Oʻahu, including at the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. As many veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health challenges following their service, maintaining stable housing can become especially difficult. Through an agreement with U.S. VETS, 7 units at Kumuhonua are reserved for women veterans in need of temporary housing. Veterans at Kumuhonua receive wraparound services to find employment, apply for government assistance, and ultimately secure permanent housing. Nani Kuahuia, veteran and former program participant, is now employed at Kumuhonua.

“Servicing our veterans is what we do every day as part of our wraparound services,” says Carla Kahala, Assistant Program Manager. “We return the service to our vets by giving a helping hand to being rehoused someplace safe and comfortable.”

Click Here to learn more about Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center.

Head Start Keiki Create Colorful Pumpkins

Head Start keiki at Ewa Pre-Plus exercised their creativity by creating pumpkin headbands. While coloring a pumpkin template, they identified the crayon colors they were using and counted the number of pumpkins that would be placed on their headband. After guided cutting and gluing of the pumpkins onto their headbands, the keiki wore their festive creations throughout the day.

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

Hā Initiative Receives Donation from Gaming Company

The Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program thanks Thatgamecompany for their generous donation of 52 STEM activity kits! Each kit was filled and personalized by Thatgamecompany employees while attending a retreat at the Turtle Bay Resort. The STEM activity kits included a marble run design and build, and a plush toy kit—hands-on projects designed to enrich students’ learning through engineering and creativity. Hā Initiative staff are looking forward to completing these activities with their students.

Thatgamecompany was founded in 2006 to develop broadly accessible, artistic, emotional and enriching game experiences. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions across the globe, and has been inducted into the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. Mahalo to Thatgamecompany for supporting STEM education and the Hā Initiative!

Click Here to learn more about the Hā Initiative.

Windward Client Surpasses Employment Milestones

Shay Boy came to HCAP’s Windward District Service Center for assistance with her job search. Staff assessed Shay Boy’s situation and connected her with resources from HCAP to overcome her employment barriers. She enrolled in the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, and staff guided her through goal setting, resume writing, and Job Readiness Training, to make sure she was ready for applications and interviews. Shay Boy’s preparation paid off when she applied to Tropical Farms and was hired right away! She received employment attire and hygiene supplies from Nā Lima Hana for her first day on the job.

Shay Boy has since completed 90 days of employment at Tropical Farms. Staff continue to follow up with her weekly, as well as provide gift card incentives as she completes her employment milestones. Shay Boy has also been participating in the Rent To Work Program, preparing her for the transition to affordable, independent housing. Staff are proud of Shay Boy’s positive attitude and progress throughout her challenging journey. “I appreciate you,” Shay Boy told staff. “Thank you all so much for all the help!”

Click Here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana.