HCAP Weekly September 16, 2019

Kumuhonua Resident Secures Permanent Housing
Early Head Start Home Visits Promote Effective Parenting Practices
Leeward Kūpuna Focus on Wellness
Work Furlough Participant Obtains Employment as Trade Painter
Lincoln STEM Students Observe Mealworms

Kumuhonua Resident Secures Permanent Housing

In March 2018, Margaret found herself in a situation she never expected to be in: facing eviction by her landlord. Behind on her rent, Margaret was asked to vacate her home. With nowhere else to go, she was soon homeless on the streets of Aiea. Margaret eventually transferred to an emergency shelter, where she received and accepted a referral to HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. In October 2018, she moved into Kumuhonua. For Margaret, Kumuhonua was a blessing; she had her own bathroom and a clean place to call home.

Margaret made the most of her time at Kumuhonua. She attended wellness classes with Ke Ola Mamo, worked with Disabilities Advocates to file Social Security claims, and signed up with Meals on Wheels through Lanakila Pacific. While at Kumuhonua, she also gained valuable skills such as budgeting and increasing savings. Margaret was also determined to find a permanent living situation for her and her comfort dog, Mickey. She worked tirelessly with Kumuhonua’s housing specialist and case manager on this search, turning in three housing applications per week.

Margaret’s hard work finally paid off when she obtained permanent housing over the summer. With the help of HCAP’s Rapid Re-housing Program, Margaret was able to secure a unit at Whitmore Circle Apartments. In late August, Margaret moved out of Kumuhonua and into Whitmore. The staff at Kumuhonua wishes all the best for Margaret and Mickey.

Early Head Start Home Visits Promote Effective Parenting Practices

HCAP’s Early Head Start (EHS) infants and toddlers are excited when they have home visits! The home-based program services families throughout Oahu, emphasizing the parent’s role as the primary teacher and advocate for their child. The home visitor meets with the child and family in the comfort of their own home for 1 ½ hours each week. A home visitor encourages good parenting practices, teaches parenting skills, and provides lessons to promote parent-child interactions and learning with age appropriate fun activities.

Leeward Kūpuna Focus on Wellness

Last Thursday, as part of the Kūpuna Independent Life Series’ continuing focus on health and self-care, the Leeward District Service Center staff invited Anthony Chrisco, a personal trainer and fitness professional, to teach the kūpuna ways to relieve body aches and joint pain. Anthony demonstrated to the group the Fascianation Method™, a head to toe self-myofascial release process that helps the body to heal.

Following Anthony’s workshop, Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) nursing students, who had checked the kūpuna’s blood pressure earlier in the day, facilitated a support group on depression. As part of National Suicide Prevention Week, the HPU students also talked about suicide and shared critical resources with individuals who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Keeping in the spirit of nutrition, the kūpuna had healthy tuna sandwiches for lunch. After lunch, the kūpuna did some exercise workouts. Community Worker Shelly did a baking demo and made low-fat cheesecake. Shelly got creative by making a few healthy ingredient substitutions: she substituted low-fat cream cheese for the regular one and chose skim milk instead of heavy whip. The low-fat cheesecake made for a great post-workout treat!

Work Furlough Participant Obtains Employment as Trade Painter

Alvin came to HCAP’s Kalihi-Palama District Service Center as a participant of Oahu Community Correctional Center’s work furlough program. He was looking to secure a job, and asked HCAP for help. Community Worker Melani enrolled Alvin in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program and provided him with a variety of services, including Job Readiness Training (JRT), interview skills training, resume development, and job search coaching.

After completing JRT in the ECS Program, Alvin applied for several positions in the construction trades. He was offered employment with a painting contractor company. Through ECS funds, Melani was able to purchase tools and equipment for Alvin, so that he can begin his job as soon as possible.

Lincoln STEM Students Observe Mealworms

Last week at Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After School Program’s Lincoln STEM Exploration Center, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, students received a surprise visit by some creepy crawly critters: mealworms! As part of an in-class assignment, the students observed the mealworms and wrote down descriptions of their features and behavior. It turns out the worms are pretty lazy and don’t do much more than eat and nap! But getting ample nutrition and rest is essential for young mealworms, which are still growing.

The class at Lincoln STEM Exploration Center ended the lesson on mealworms with a discussion about the different ways people around the world use mealworms. For example, researchers have discovered that mealworms have the ability to eat styrofoam and turn it into compost! This can be very helpful for protecting the environment as styrofoam is non-recyclable and toxic when burned.

All in all, the STEM students seemed to have taken a liking to their classroom pets (the mealworms) and a few of them check on their “babies” every day, as soon as they come into class.