HCAP Weekly September 8, 2014

In this week’s issue:

HCAP Joins US Vets to Fight Veteran Homelessness
From the HCAP Mailbox
AmeriCorps VISTA Members Participate in National Day of Service and Remembrance
AmeriCorps Celebrates 20 years of Volunteer Service
Head Start Students Learn About Transportation Safety
HCAP Participates in 2014 Foodland Give Aloha Campaign
HCAP Summer 2014 Quarterly Newsletter

HCAP Joins US Vets to Fight Veteran Homelessness

HCAP Executive Director Robert N.E. Piper and Director of Community Services Robert Naniole joined Kumuhonua Program Manager Davilyn Chang, Program Specialist Rado Melchor, and Lead Case Manager Kainani Kahunanui at the US Vets Appreciation Luncheon. US Vets Chief Operating Officer, Darryl Vincent and Executive Director, Dr. Kim Cook, extended their deepest appreciation to Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center for their support in joining US Vets in the fight to end Veteran homelessness. Other dignitaries and government officials such as former Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, Hawaii State Coordinator on Homelessness Colin Kippen, and State Homeless Programs Office staff Lori Tsuhako and June Tong attended the luncheon as well.

From the HCAP Mailbox

This week, HCAP’s Na Lima Hana- Employment Core Services program received a thoughtful letter from a current participant.

Dear HCAP,

My name is Angie and I am a current client of yours. I just want to say, “thank you and I truly appreciate all you have done for me”. At the beginning of last month, I found myself looking for a job that would fit my life status – I am a single parent with 2 children and 1 adolescent who is currently starting his first semester in college. Where I live, if you aren’t an active parent in your children’s lives, they can easily be influenced to hang out with the wrong crowd or be easily bullied. My first priority will always be my children. So, instead of looking for a job that’s within the degree I received at UHWO, which is in accounting and marketing, I felt that it’s more important to be near my children.

Here’s where HCAP comes into my story. I needed ideas, so I visited my friend Robin at the Kalihi HCAP office. She encouraged me to sign up to their employment program called Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services – which helps individuals find employment. I met with Tasia a couple of days later who officially signed me up, gave me a bunch of job applications, and a bus pass for the month. I used the bus pass to apply for jobs, including several for the DOE. Shortly thereafter, I landed a part-time job at my youngest son’s school – Fern Elementary. I received a bus pass for August and September to help me get to and from work while I wait for the DOE to process my payroll documents. I also recently completed the Substitute Teacher Course Certificate which will enable me to become a Substitute Teacher within Hawaii. With the help of Jojo, Robin and Tasia at HCAP, they enrolled me in a program to help pay for my fees in order obtain this certificate. Within the next month or two, I’ll actually be a teacher teaching within the Kalihi area. When I’m not working, I volunteer in my son’s class to gain classroom experience. I am truly excited about my future.

Thank you again HCAP for all your help and your continued effort to help my community proper one individual at a time.

Cordially,
Angie

HCAP would like to congratulate Angie on her achievements and we truly appreciate her kind words.

AmeriCorps VISTA Members Participate in National Day of Service and Remembrance

In honor of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service (CNCS) organized local service projects on 9/11 for AmeriCorps members on Oahu. The volunteers unified in service to paint at the Kapahulu Senior Center and the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Among the group were HCAP’s AmeriCorps VISTAs Marissa Villegas and Brittany Wilson, who painted over the faded stone that surrounds the Punchbowl Cemetery lookout, as well as the benches that lines the walkway. With the group effort of the AmeriCorps members and the Hawaii CNCS, both projects were completed successfully. HCAP would like say mahalo to our VISTA members and other volunteers for their patriotic tribute to the victims of the September 11th attacks.

AmeriCorps Celebrates 20 years of Volunteer Service

HCAP’s AmeriCorps VISTA Members were up before the sun today for the first-ever “Sunrise Swearing-In Ceremony” that was broadcasted live from Washington DC at the Olelo Community Media Center. The national ceremony was hosted by President Obama and featured President Clinton and the Corporation for National and Community Service to celebrate the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps. The event also recognized current AmeriCorps members, alumni and supporters, acknowledging their commitment to “get things done for America.” Mahalo to our present and past VISTA members for your service to Hawaii and this country!

Head Start Students Learn About Transportation Safety

He`eia Head Start children participated in a transportation safety lesson with bus driver, Uncle Al. The students had an opportunity to board the bus, to see and hear about the ways they can stay safe on the bus, and how to exit if there is an emergency. Uncle Al showed the children and teachers the safest and quickest way to buckle up using the 5 point restraint harness and praised everyone for doing an awesome job during his visit. Head Start teachers and students appreciate the bus drivers for all of their hard work, keeping them safe and providing a means for them to safely explore the community.

Add HCAP To Your Foodland or Sack N Save Shopping Cart This Weekend

HCAP Summer 2014 Quarterly Newsletter

We’re excited to share the Summer 2014 issue of Ku`i Na Lono: Spread the News
Download the Summer, 2014 Quarterly here.