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MEO receives $211,226 grant for senior employment program
A Maui Economic Opportunity program that provides on-the-job training for Maui County seniors and is currently seeking applicants has received a $211,226 federal grant that runs through June 2022. Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was established by...
National Employ Older Workers Week
It's National Employ Older Workers Week from Sunday, Sept. 19, to Saturday, Sept. 25. The theme for this year's Week is: "The Future is NEOWW!" Over the past year, older workers have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to the changing demands of a dynamic workplace....
2,000 pounds of food distributed on Molokai
Nani Maikui helped distribute more than 2,000 pounds of food on Thursday, Sept. 16, outside Maui Economic Opportunity offices in Kaunakakai. MEO runs the federal surplus food distribution, part of SNAP, every third Thursday of the month. The Maui Food Bank ships food...
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*MEO receives $211,226 grant for senior employment program*![]()
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A Maui Economic Opportunity program that provides on-the-job training for Maui County seniors and is currently seeking applicants has received a $211,226 federal grant that runs through June 2022.![]()
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Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was established by the federal Older American Act for income eligible seniors, 55 years or older, who are unemployed. Priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses and persons with disabilities, limited literacy and English language proficiency and at-risk for homelessness or homeless.![]()
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Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the state minimum wage. Program training and work experience serve as a bridge to a regular paying job.![]()
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This announcement comes as National Employ Older Workers Week began this week, running through Saturday, Sept. 25. The theme of the week is “The Future is NEOWW!" and encourages employers to hire older workers who have shown they have the experience to thrive in the current workforce – even amid a pandemic.![]()
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MEO’s program that helps seniors gain employment received final grant approval in June from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the agency that manages the grant for the state. It is for the two-year period that began in June 2020.![]()
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In July, MEO had 17 participants in the program. They were placed at MEO Community Services and Transportation departments, Hale Mahaolu facilities and Maui Adult Day Care Centers.![]()
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Audrey, who only wished to be identified by her first name, is a recent success story, who enrolled in the program and was placed as an aide at Maui Adult Day Care Centers – Ocean View Center at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. She lost her job at the airport due to the pandemic.![]()
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In addition to SCSEP, Audrey also was enrolled in MEO’s Employment Services Program, part of the nonprofit’s “one-stop” array of assistance.![]()
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Audrey’s hard work culminated in three offers and a full-time job at a Kihei retailer. MEO assisted her in shopping for work clothes in September.![]()
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She credits MEO and Carmelei Leano in SCSEP and Jan Cerizo in the Employment Services Program for their support and encouragement on her employment journey.![]()
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"MEO has really been good to me," Audrey said.![]()
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The SCSEP program currently is accepting applicants. For more information, contact Leano at 249-2970.![]()
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*About Maui Economic Opportunity*![]()
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., is a nonprofit agency that’s part of the national Community Action Partnership network, whose goal is to help low income individuals and families and disenfranchised people help themselves and transform their lives. Chartered in 1965, MEO offers more than 40 programs that assist low income people, kupuna, youths, persons with disabilities, immigrants and other disenfranchised individuals. MEO runs the Human Services transportation program and the Maui Bus paratransit system and Head Start preschools, as well as programs that offer kupuna socialization and information; rent, mortgage and utility assistance; Spanish interpretation and translation; entrepreneurial and financial basics; inmate reintegration into the community after release; and youth anti-drinking, -bullying and -suicide prevention. For more information about the entire array of programs, please visit www.meoinc.org or call (808) 249-2990.
**The Future is NEOWW**![]()
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It's National Employ Older Workers Week from Sunday, Sept. 19, to Saturday, Sept. 25. The theme for this year's Week is: "The Future is NEOWW!" Over the past year, older workers have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to the changing demands of a dynamic workplace. Whether that has been a transition to virtual workspaces or learning new online skills necessary for the workplace in 2021, older workers have shown they have the experience to thrive in the current workforce. These are the things that remind us that it's always a good time to hire an older worker! ![]()
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Maui Economic Opportunity offers a senior on-the-job training program for unemployed kupuna 55 years and older, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Contact Carmelei Leano at 249-2970 for more information.![]()
Visit SCSEP here: www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/seniors
2,000 pounds of food distributed on Molokai![]()
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Nani Maikui helped distribute more than 2,000 pounds of food on Thursday, Sept. 16, outside Maui Economic Opportunity offices in Kaunakakai. MEO runs the federal surplus food distribution, part of SNAP, every third Thursday of the month. The Maui Food Bank ships food to Molokai for distribution; Molokai and Maui farmers also contribute fresh produce. More than 1,100 pounds of nonperishable and 1,000 pounds of perishables, including fruits, vegetables and cheese, went out in the drive-thru distribution. In addition, 54 boxes of food were handed out to kupuna.
**Hispanic Heritage Month**![]()
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¡Buenas Tardes Everyone!![]()
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Today begins the celebration of *Hispanic Heritage Month*!![]()
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Just a little information; "Hispanic" refers to Spanish speakers or those who descend from Spanish-speaking populations, "Latino" refers to those who are from or are descendants of people from Latin America.![]()
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You may have heard the term "Latinx" as well as "Latina" or "Latino."![]()
"Latinx" is a gender-fluid term.![]()
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www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
Video for Suicide Prevention Week![]()
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Last week was Suicide Prevention Week and Maui Economic Opportunity's Youth Services did sign waving Wednesday, Sept. 8, on Kaahumanu Avenue fronting the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center. ![]()
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Signs made by the youths offered poignant messages and reminders about youth suicides in Maui County. Messages included "Tomorrow Needs You," "Malama Iā ‘Oe Iho - Take Care Of Yourself," and "Asking for Help is a Sign of Courage." ![]()
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In a 2019 survey, Rates of Maui County high schoolers feeling hopelessness, seriously considering suicide, made a suicide plan and attempted suicide exceeded Hawaii and national averages.
National Suicide Prevention Week - September 5-11, 2021
youtu.be
To raise awareness, yesterday we sign waved in front of QKC with fellow community members and E Ola Hou, Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force. #togetherwec...