HCAP Weekly September 14, 2015

In this week’s issue:

Mahalo to Friends of Hawaii Robotics
Great Attitude and Willingness to Work Hard Leads to Employment
HCAP Selects A New Human Resources Generalist
Head Start Parents Learn Ways to Extend Learning At Home
Leahi District Service Center Staff Mālama the ‘Aina
HCAP Participates in 2015 Foodland Give Aloha Campaign

Mahalo to Friends of Hawaii Robotics

HCAP and the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program would like to thank Friends of Hawaii Robotics for their generosity and support. The grant provided by Friends of Hawaii Robotics will fund registration of 5 FIRST LEGO League teams and 5 Junior FIRST LEGO League teams in local tournaments. This year’s competition theme is “Trash Trek” which asks participants to search for ways to reduce trash or improve on the way people handle the trash that is produced.

The competitions will be held in late October and early November. Each STEM Exploration Center is currently preparing projects for the competitions. Excitement is overwhelming as the students learn about design, programming, and environmental impact. Ms. Sarah, the new Windward STEM Exploration Center Teacher, is very excited about working with the students at the Waiahole Elementary School STEM Exploration Center. The LEGO league is new to Ms. Sarah, so she and the students are learning together.

Great Attitude and Willingness to Work Hard Leads to Employment

James moved to Hawaii from the Philippines in July 2015 and went to the Windward District Service Center for help looking for work. James is a recent high school graduate with experience in construction and labor. He came in with a great attitude and a willingness to work anywhere. James worked with a Community Worker to prepare a resume and then began applying for jobs. While waiting for responses from employers, James volunteered in the office, doing light cleaning and moving furniture. He was quickly hired by McDonalds and has been working steadily since the beginning of August. Some of his challenges included a lack of work clothes and transportation. HCAP was able to alleviate these barriers by providing James a bus pass and clothing for work, once he was hired. James currently works 40 hours a week but is still looking for additional work to move ahead on his path to becoming self-sufficient.

HCAP Selects A New Human Resources Generalist

HCAP is pleased to announce that Jocelyn Banks has been selected as HCAP’s Human Resources Generalist. Jocelyn has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management/Human Resources. Most recently, she was a Family Advocate for HCAP’s Head Start program since 2012. Lynn Cabato, HCAP Head Start Director, states “It is always nice to see someone who has worked hard and diligently at the program level move to a position of greater responsibility within the overall organization.” Derek Nishimura, HCAP Director of Human Resources adds that, “We were very fortunate that all of the candidates for the position were well qualified, which made for a very competitive selection process. I’m pleased to welcome Jocelyn from our Head Start program and am looking forward to working with her. I am very impressed by her motivation and excitement to support HCAP’s HR functions.” HCAP congratulates Jocelyn on her new position, and looks forward to seeing her knowledge and skills develop in her chosen field of work.

Head Start Parents Learn Ways to Extend Learning At Home

The parents of Jefferson II Head Start gathered at the school cafeteria for their September monthly parent group meeting. Monthly meetings provide teachers an opportunity to share what the children are learning in the classroom and learn about ways that parents can extend the learning at home. Corina Lopes, Family Advocate provided the parents with pertinent information and resources to prepare their homes for emergencies and to develop an emergency evacuation plan with their family.

Leahi District Service Center Staff Mālama the ‘Aina

On Saturday September 12, Leahi District Service Center staff participated in the 20th Annual Pālolo Homes Stream Clean-up hosted by the Pālolo Tenants Association. It is important to clean this stream because it flows directly into the ocean. Due to the rainy weather conditions, the stream clean up portion was cancelled, but volunteers were able to assist residents, community groups, and students from Chaminade University by picking up trash and debris around the Pālolo neighborhood. Rain or shine, this was a great day to serve our neighbors, volunteer, and to connect with other community members.

HCAP Participates in 2015 Foodland Give Aloha Campaign

Please support HCAP when you shop at any Foodland, Sack N Save or Foodland Farms store in the month of September! Use HCAP’s code #77207 and show your Maika`i Card to donate. 100% of your donation will help HCAP provide early childhood education, job training, housing, and increase opportunities for self-sufficiency for Oahu’s most needy families. Mahalo!