Get A Life: HTI Classes At Ma'ililand Transitional Housing

HTI has recently finished its first series of combined computer literacy / life skills classes at Ma`ililand Transitional Housing.  For the past five weeks, Special Projects Coordinator, La Vonne Sexton, has been facilitating 2-hour classes covering Computer Fundamentals and Life Skills training.  Ma`ililand is not the first transitional housing site HTI has serviced.  Prior to its presence there, HTI has facilitated a variety of classes (Computer Literacy / Life Skills, Family Foundations and Anger Management) at Wai`anae Civic Center, also known as Pai`olu Kaia`ulu thanks to funding from the James and Abigail Campbell Estate.

The “Get a Life” module at Ma`ililand helps participants learn the mentality and fundamentals of computers, how they function and what they can produce as well as gain insight into Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer software.  The class integrates life skills activities into each of the activities – skills pertaining to the development of personal identity, time management, personal budgeting, life planning, and attitude and character.

 “Being able to copy pictures from the Internet and paste them into a slide show about myself was the coolest thing!  I never thought I would be able to do something like that by myself,” shared Charlene Paishon.  All of the participants in the first class have voiced a desire for the classes to continue and have already signed up for the next session!