HCAP Weekly September 30, 2019

Hā Initiative Holds First “Family Nights” of School Year
Leahi District Re-establishes Partnership with Salvation Army Family Treatment Services
Weatherization Client Eligible for Energy Star Refrigerator
SCSEP Trainee Hired as Employment Counselor
The Kupuna Independent Life Series Returns to Windward in October

Hā Initiative Holds First “Family Nights” of School Year

Last week at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, all five STEM Exploration Centers held their first “Family Nights” of the 2019-2020 school year.

Every quarter, STEM Exploration Centers play host to families who come to hear about the latest projects and work created by STEM students. This quarter’s Family Nights were centered on plants and plant conservation. As part of their unit on building a healthy ecosystem, STEM students had been creating terrariums, using seeds, soils, and rocks. During Family Nights, parents and family members were educated about the importance of ‘Ōhi’a Lehua, the native Hawaiian plant that assumes a critical role in protecting our watersheds. After the lead-in lesson, families were given the opportunity to create little plant nurseries of their own, using 200 ‘Ōhi’a seeds donated by Lyon Arboretum.

As an added bonus to an educational evening, all of our family participants actively contributed to the discussion about the conservation of the Ōhi’a.

Leahi District Re-establishes Partnership with Salvation Army Family Treatment Services

HCAP’s Leahi District Service Center recently re-established partnership with the Salvation Army Family Treatment Services (FTS). As part of the renewed partnership, Leahi District Service Center staff will provide employment services to clients at Salvation Army Family Treatment Services. Once enrolled, the women will receive a variety of services, including financial literacy education, resume development, and interview coaching.

During this week’s first session, female participants from FTS’ Women’s Way Program enrolled into the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. Leahi District Service Center’s Community Workers had the chance to “talk story” with them as well as answer any questions they might have about the ECS Program. It was a great start, and Leahi District Service Center’s Community Workers look forward to coming back on a weekly basis to conduct the onsite Job Readiness Training classes.

Weatherization Client Eligible for Energy Star Refrigerator

Last month, Leahi District Service Center’s Community Workers assisted Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) staff with a home energy audit for Pam. Pam lives in a single-person household and was immediately interested in the idea and practice of saving energy.

Energy-efficient light bulbs and a shower aerator were installed into Pam’s apartment at no cost. During the home energy audit, it was determined that Pam would be eligible to receive a new Energy Star refrigerator and may also be eligible for a new Energy Star air-conditioner. The new devices will help her save money on her electricity bills in the years ahead. Our client is excited to utilize her new devices and continues to do research on other HCAP services that she may be eligible for.

SCSEP Trainee Hired as Employment Counselor

Earlier this year, HCAP Weekly had profiled Raldean, a Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participant who had also benefited from HCAP’s wraparound services and programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program, and the Kupuna Independent Life Series. We are happy to announce that Raldean has been hired as Employment Counselor for SCSEP.

Over the last two years as a SCSEP trainee, Raldean has worked as Front Desk Receptionist at the HCAP Leeward District Service Center and served as Program Aide/Receptionist at the SCSEP office. In her role as Program Aide/Receptionist trainee, Raldean has shown exemplary growth in building partnerships and providing one-on-one support services to SCSEP participants. With the support of SCSEP staff, she had also been shadowing employment counselors when they are conducting assessments, intakes, and recertifications.

SCSEP staff would like to congratulate Raldean on her new role, and looks forward to having her as part of the SCSEP team.

The Kupuna Independent Life Series Returns to Windward in October

After a summer break, HCAP’s Kupuna Independent Life Series, which assists seniors 55 and older to “age in place” through health and wellness workshops, healthy breakfast and lunch, and support groups, will return to Windward on Wednesday, October 9th. The thirteen-week series is a collaborative effort to provide seniors, age 55 and older, with health education, support for living productive independent lives, and proactive civic engagement.

The time and location for Windward’s Kupuna Independent Life Series is as follows:

Kahuku Elderly
56-154 Puuluana Pl
Kahuku, HI 96731
Wednesdays from 9am – 12pm
October 9, 2019 to December 18, 2019 (except for November 27th)
Contact Number: 239-5754