HCAP Weekly September 9, 2019

HCAP Staff Attend AUW Annual Campaign Kickoff Rally
Disability Advocates of Hawaii Helps Kumuhonua Residents File Social Security Benefit Claims
STEM Students Attend Hawaiʻi FIRST Robotics State Kickoff
Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Distributes Over 4,000 Pounds of Food
Work Furlough Participant Obtains Custodial Position

HCAP Staff Attend AUW Annual Campaign Kickoff Rally

Last Friday, HCAP staff attended the Aloha United Way (AUW) Annual Campaign Kickoff Rally to raise awareness about AUW’s mission. HCAP is proud to be one of AUW’s partner agencies, and is currently participating in the AUW Annual Campaign. In the past, HCAP has organized bake sales, bento luncheons, White Elephant fundraisers, among other events as part of the campaign. HCAP looks forward to continuing the tradition.

Aloha United Way supports 320 local nonprofit organizations that deliver a wide range of services to the Hawaii community through hundreds of individual programs that benefit over 850,000 beneficiaries each year. These include developmental screening programs for 3 and 4 year olds, protection from domestic violence, teen pregnancy prevention, shelter for the homeless, and much more. Each year, Aloha United Way hosts a campaign that educates employees about giving opportunities and allows them to make informed giving decisions.

Disability Advocates of Hawaii Helps Kumuhonua Residents File Social Security Benefit Claims

For the past year, Disability Advocates of Hawaii has been assisting residents at HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center with their Social Security Benefits claims. Executive Director Anber Little and her staff visit Kumuhonua residents twice a month to provide direct services.

Anber and her team provide assistance by helping residents gather required information and evidence, understand terminology, and file Social Security Benefits claims. During disability hearings, Disability Advocates testify before an administrative law judge and present the evidence needed to support the residents’ Social Security Benefits claims.

For their services, Disability Advocates receive compensation from the Social Security Administrative Office. This compensation structure gives comfort to Kumuhonua residents, who feel reassured knowing that they won’t be billed for the services they receive from Disability Advocates. Mahalo to the Disability Advocates of Hawaii team for having a positive impact in the Kumuhonua community.

STEM Students Attend Hawaiʻi FIRST Robotics State Kickoff

This weekend, students from the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After School Program, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, attended the Hawaiʻi FIRST Robotics State Kickoff at Punahou School. The students from the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FIRST LEGO League Jr. (FLL Jr.) teams met with their counterparts from other schools. They were also given the opportunity to discuss this year’s City Shaper theme with experts from Biki, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), and the City and County of Honolulu. Following the Robotics State Kickoff, the STEM students returned to their classrooms and discussed ways they can improve their project presentation for the City Shaper challenge.

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center Distributes Over 4,000 Pounds of Food

Kalihi-Palama District Service Center, in partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank, held their monthly Ohana Produce food distribution at Kalihi Valley Homes on August 23rd. Over 4,000 pounds of food, including eggs, baked goods, frozen dinners, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, were distributed to over 121 adults and 108 children. The distribution takes place in the parking lot at Kalihi Valley Homes (Kam IV) behind the housing office at 2243 Kalaunu St.

Ohana Produce food distribution is held once a month at the Kalihi-Palama District Service Center. The remaining 2019 dates for Ohana Produce in Kalihi are as follows: September 20th, October 18th, November 15th, and December 20th.

For more information regarding the Ohana Produce food distribution, please contact the nearest participating HCAP District Service Center:
Central: 488-6834
Kalihi-Palama: 847-0804
Leeward: 696-4261
Windward: 239-5754

Work Furlough Participant Obtains Custodial Position

In March, Victor was referred to HCAP’s Windward District Service Center by a caseworker at his work furlough program. Because one of the program requirements is to search for and secure employment, he enrolled in the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program at the Windward District Service Center.

As an ECS participant, Victor received a variety of services, including Job Readiness Training, mock interviews, and assistance on developing his resume. Upon completing the ECS Program, Victor was offered a custodial position at a supermarket chain. Through ECS program funds, Windward District Service Center staff was able to purchase work clothes for Victor.

In July and August, Windward District Service Center staff provided Victor with gift cards for achieving 60 and 90-day employment milestones. Windward District Service Center would like to congratulate Victor on his employment milestones, and will continue to provide him with case management services.