HCAP WEEKLY September 9, 2024

HCAP Awarded Aloha United Way Women United Grant

Aloha United Way (AUW) and HCAP have been partners for nearly a decade and have collaborated together to make the community stronger, more resilient, and equitable. On September 6, HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program received a check from AUW for the Women United grant. This funding will be used to support the education of female-led households through tuition assistance and case management services.

HCAP recognizes that women face unique challenges in their pursuit of self-sufficiency. ECS works to address financial barriers, familial needs and expectations, and work-place discrimination when serving female clients. Allotting tuition assistance funds for women to advance their vocational or educational career aims to combat the disparity women face in the workforce.

In addition to the Women United grant, HCAP also received AUW’s Safety Net Fund which went to assist Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center (KTLC) with its daily operations, utilities and repair costs.

HCAP is grateful for the continued support from AUW and the many community partners that make it possible to carry out HCAP’s POI: “Providing Opportunities and Inspiration to enable low-income individuals or families to achieve self-reliance.”

Click here to learn more about HCAP’s programs and services.

Central ECS Client: From Obtaining Tuition Assistance to Reaching Employment

Sharri Verlaine first was referred to HCAP’s Central District Service Center by a partner agency, Professional Healthcare Educators (PHE), for tuition assistance to enroll in PHE’s Nurse Aide Program. Sharri is the sole provider for herself and her family and was working at Ear, Nose and Throat Clinics of O’ahu prior to vocational school.

Sharri Verlaine was able to come in for Tuition assistance through the Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) program and participated in a Job Readiness Training (JRT) class. In JRT, she learned about how she can prepare for interviews, updated her resume, learned how to dress for success, tips for job searching, budgeting skills and how to prepare for her future goals. Throughout the training, Sharri Verlaine was also attending Leeward Community College working towards obtaining her AAS in Health Information Technology Degree.

Sharri Verlaine was able to complete her course at Professional Healthcare Educators, successfully completed the Prometric exam, and obtained a certificate in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED). Sharri Verlaine was able to obtain a position at Travel Care Hawaii as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Sharri Verlaine was still working at her main job Ear, Nose and Throat Clinics of Oahu, however she needed assistance in work attire for her new job. Through ECS funding, Central staff were able to provide her with work clothes attire.

Sharri Verlaine has been able to maintain employment at Travel Care Hawaii for over 90 days.  Due to lack of hours, she was forced to go back to her previous job, but is actively seeking employment in her field of interest. Sharri Verlaine was able to secure a higher pay rate due to her educational achievements in obtaining her certificate as a Nurse Aide and completing her AAS in Health Information Technology Degree.  

Sharri Verlaine contacted the Central District Service Center once more but for assistance with preventing disconnection of their electricity services. Sharri Verlaine was able to update her household with her now husband and new address. Sharri Verlaine was able to come in to complete the Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP), submitted all required documents and we were able to help prevent disconnection of their services.

Central District Service Center staff is happy to have been able to provide the support Sharri Verlaine and her household needed to uplift her from her previous circumstances to a much more stable situation. We look forward to continuing to support Sharri Verlaine and her family with support. We will be following up with her husband to help him obtain employment to help their family become even more self-sufficient.

Click here to learn more about Nā Lima Hana

Head Start Creates a Lending Library

In an effort to promote literacy development and community, the HCAP Head Start children and families at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary created a lending library. Books are placed in the lending library for children to take home, read with their families and return for others in the class to enjoy.

Literacy is an important aspect of children’s development as it promotes not only reading, comprehension and language, it also fosters expression of emotions and contributes to their overall emotional and mental health. Building of community within our Head Start & Early Head Start programs continues to perpetuate and encourage a positive, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. It creates opportunities for relationship building and family engagement.

Click here to learn more about HCAP Head Start and Early Head Start.

Give Aloha to HCAP at Foodland this September

Support HCAP while you shop at Foodland! Now through September 30, Maikaʻi Card members are invited to make donations up to $249 at checkout to participating nonprofit organizations through Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts program.

To donate to HCAP at checkout, show your Maikaʻi Card and give your cashier our code: 77207. Foodland will match a portion of your gift, and every donation will help HCAP continue to assist low-income Oʻahu families in achieving self-sufficiency.

Mahalo for your ongoing support of HCAP! To help us spread the word about Give Aloha, share our posts on Facebook and Instagram.