Work Furlough Participant Obtains Employment at Construction Company
Kumuhonua Resident Saves Money and Gains Stability
Central District Service Center Sets Up LIHEAP Satellite Sites
Kalihi STEM Students Germinate Seeds
Windward District Service Center Participates in Community Event in Hau’ula
Work Furlough Participant Obtains Employment at Construction Company
Sunia came to HCAP’s Central District Service Center as a participant of Oahu Community Correctional Center’s work furlough program. Because part of the program requirements is to search and secure employment, Sunia requested assistance from the Central District Service Center through the Na Lima Hana Employment Core Services (ECS) Program. Sunia completed intake for the ECS Program, and received a variety of services, including Job Readiness Training, mock interviews, and assistance on developing his resume. He was also provided with a bus pass voucher to help him with his job search and job interview.
Last month, Sunia obtained employment as a laborer at Nan Inc., a local construction company. Upon notice of employment, Central District Service Center staff helped purchase working attire for Sunia so that he could start working. Central District Service Center staff would like to congratulate Sunia on becoming a member of the workforce and hopes that he overcomes any challenges that come his way as he reintegrates into society.
Kumuhonua Resident Saves Money and Gains Stability
Liz moved into the Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center in April 2018. During her stay at Kumuhonua, staff made sure that Liz’s basic needs were met: providing her with food and clothing when needed, and helping Liz keep track of her doctor’s appointments. Despite having polio, she remained fiercely independent, often catching the shuttle bus by herself.
Liz also started working as a cashier at Tamura’s Market Kalaeloa nearby. With the money earned from her job and the Social Security Disability Insurance payments she received, Liz was able to increase her savings. Earlier this year, she accepted an invitation to join her sister in Alaska. In January 2019, Liz left Kumuhonua and Hawaii for Alaska, where she eventually moved into a permanent place of her own.
Central District Service Center Sets Up LIHEAP Satellite Sites
HCAP’s Central District Service Center kicked off the month of May with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Central District Service Center set up several satellite sites in our most vulnerable communities where many residents are elderly and/or have a disability. The idea is to make it less stressful and more accommodating for our seniors when they apply for the LIHEAP energy credit program.
Each day at the satellite site, Central District Service Center staff are greeted by a group of seniors, who are eager to be the first in line. These same residents showered the staff with compliments and smiles just to show how much they appreciate the Central District Service Center staff coming out to complete intake applications at their residence, which makes it easier and possible for most of them to apply.
This year, Central District Service Center staff were joined by the Leahi District Service Center staff and several volunteers. Central District Service Center would like to give a big mahalo to all who came out to help.
Kalihi STEM Students Germinate Seeds
This week at the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program’s Kalihi STEM Exploration Center, a 21st Century Community Learning Center, the students participated in a hands-on learning activity about seeds and how to germinate them.
Germination is the process in which a seed sprouts and grows into a new plant. Successful germination is vital for a species to perpetuate itself. Students learned about the different types of seeds and how seeds are common in the foods we eat. They also learned about how the wind, birds and water can carry seeds far away from where they originated. The seeds can be dried, germinated, and planted so that we can grow our own fruits and vegetables.
After learning about seeds and germination, the students got a chance to germinate seeds themselves. They had their pick of seeds to choose from: seeds from cherry tomatoes, purple eggplants, lettuce, bell peppers, green onions or Thai basil leaves. After choosing their seeds, they got paper towels and placed the seeds about an inch apart on the paper towels and misted them until they were wet. The students slid the paper towel in a Ziploc bag.
Half of the Ziploc bags were placed under the grow light they have in their class. The other half were placed in a dark area. The students wanted to experiment and see which seeds would germinate quicker, the seeds, which were placed under the grow light or the seeds which were left in the dark. It will take about 5 days for the seeds to sprout, so the students shall make day-to-day observations to learn and identify which condition (light or darkness) lends itself to quicker germination.
Windward District Service Center Participates in Community Event in Hau’ula
HCAP’s Windward District Service Center was invited by Ko’olauloa Health Clinic to participate in outreach efforts at Hawaii Foodbank’s food distribution in Hau’ula. The Hawaii Foodbank has their food distribution at the Hau’ula Beach Park Pavilion every first Monday of the month. Windward District Service Center staff will be able to come and connect with Hawaii Foodbank volunteers as well as members of the community, and share about the services and programs that HCAP offers.
The post HCAP Weekly May 6, 2019 appeared first on Honolulu Community Action Program.