HCAP WEEKLY October 24, 2022

Story Time with Head Start and Atlas Insurance

As part of a community partnership project, Atlas Insurance Agency employees visited HCAP Head Start classrooms throughout Oʻahu to read a variety of fun picture books to the keiki. Last week, a total of 12 employees visited Head Start classrooms at Ala Wai Elementary, ʻEwa Elementary, President Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Kapalama Elementary, Lanakila Elementary, and Queen Kaʻahumanu Elementary schools.

Keiki at Jefferson Pre-Plus enjoyed gathering as a class to hear “Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School” and “Down by the Bay.” Click Here to watch a video of Atlas Insurance employees reading to the Jefferson Pre-Plus keiki. Mahalo to Atlas Insurance for giving back to the community and sharing stories with our Head Start keiki! 

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

Nā Lima Hana Participant Begins Dental Career Journey

Ermie aspired to find a new career in the dental field, but was unsure where to start. She visited HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center, where she learned about the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services program. She completed Job Readiness Training, which helped her improve her financial literacy, build her resume, and prepare for job interviews.

Ermie has since secured employment as a dental assistant and surpassed 3 months on the job. In recognition of this milestone, she received gift card incentives from Nā Lima Hana. With the holidays quickly approaching, Leahi assisted Ermie with applying for the “Adopt A Family” program, which connects families in need with donors who fulfill their holiday wishlists. Staff will continue to work closely with Ermie and offer guidance as she pursues her employment goals. 

“HCAP was a big help for me in many areas, Ermie shared. “I look forward to continuing my relationship with HCAP.” 

Click Here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services.

Hā Initiative Students Create Solar System Model

Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program students have been exploring planetary science. At Lincoln STEM Exploration Center, students visualized the distances between the planets and the sun by using hand-drawn planetary models and string. Students learned about astronomical units, and how scientists use them to measure planetary distances.

To convert the relative distances from astronomical units to centimeters, students had to multiply the astronomical units on a chart by a factor of 10 for centimeters. For example, 1 astronomical unit is the distance between the Earth and the Sun (150 million kilometers), and is represented as 10 centimeters from the sun along a string. Students worked together in groups to measure and place the planets at the correct distances along a 5-meter string. This hands-on activity helped students conceptualize the layout of the solar system and understand the distances between planets.

Click Here to learn more about the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program.

Energy Awareness Month: Tips from the Weatherization Assistance Program

October is National Energy Awareness Month. Low-income households face a high energy burden, typically spending 13.9% of their annual income on energy costs, compared with 3% for other households, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. With energy costs on the rise in Hawaiʻi, simple energy-saving measures can help households lower their bills.

• Switch to LED bulbs: The average U.S. household saves over $200 each year by using light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Plus, LED bulbs use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting (U.S. Dept. of Energy).
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators: Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators minimize water waste. A low-flow shower head can conserve up to 5 gallons per minute, and a kitchen faucet aerator can save up to 5 gallons daily (Board of Water Supply).
• Use smart power strips: Smart power strips save energy by detecting when devices are in standby mode and cutting their power off. If you don’t have smart power strips, remember to unplug devices when not in use, so they won’t continue to consume unnecessary energy.

HCAP’s Weatherization Assistance Program offers free LED bulbs, low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, smart power strips, and other energy-saving devices to help qualifying households reduce their energy burden. Call your nearest District Service Center to learn more and apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program. 

For households that are facing disconnection, HCAP offers emergency utilities assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications are accepted year-round, by appointment only, at HCAP’s District Service Centers.