Kid's Kitchen


Joseph Rosales volunteering at Kids' Kitchen-Palolo site.

Kids' Kitchen was a community service project which was a partnership between the Rotary of Honolulu Sunrise, Harbor House, and the Rainbow Advantage Program (RAP). Harbor House is a non-profit charity which provides food, clothing and shelter to those in need. RAP is a learning community for freshmen at the University of Hawaii which offers a supportive and challenging academic environment fostering a sense of community and values. Community service learning is one component of this program. The director of RAP is a member of the Rotary of Honolulu Sunrise and has involved the club in Kids' Kitchen. The Rotarians donated monies needed to pay for a site coordinator and offered assistance to the site with painting, building and other activities as needed.

Kids' Kitchen provided meals for young children who were left alone afternoons to fend for themselves. The present site was Palolo Elementary School and up to 35 children, ages 5 to 12, were serviced each day. The school principal worked closely with the coordinator of the program to facilitate communication to the families. Each week day meals or snacks were prepared and served to the children. Additionally, volunteers (freshmen in RAP) became role models for these children. The college students encouraged youngsters to participate in various table-top and recreational activities. Youngsters were also given opportunities to sit and "talk story," got assistance with their homework and participated in lively discussions. Thus, volunteers not only provided supervision for the children during their meals, but they provided nourishment of the youngsters' minds. Students who participated in Kids’ Kitchen have had life changing experiences.

The following are some of their personal comments:

"If I can change one kid’s life, I can change the future."

"I have learned so much about myself. I have learned so much about others. I have learned what it means to give. I have learned what it means to help. I have learned the meaning of the phrase, ‘do something’. I have learned what it means to be patient. And I have learned not to take life for granted."

"It brings tears to my eyes to watch the lives of our youth slowly deteriorate because of a lack of love. Kids like John and Dana look to us for love. Children like to feel needed."

"I have interacted. I have maintained a positive attitude. I have had fun. I have learned. I have contributed. I have helped. I have fed and nourished the minds and stomachs of some children. I have changed."

"By doing this project it really brought out part of me that I didn’t know was in me."

"It is just a waste to see such talented children who are probably going to end up not discovering much because of their lifestyle and problems. This is where we come in–we give them confidence in themselves.""You have to be willing to share a part of yourself."

"One thing about these kids is that they know more about life than I thought."

"She started telling me about how her father was in jail and how he gave her gifts which he made in prison. It was so weird to actually hear a real life story like that. She is so young yet she knows so much about such a harsh life."

"I noticed that the kids have a lot to say when they realize someone will listen to them."

"There are a lot of things you don’t know about yourself until you give back to people who need things more than you."

"Not only did I make friends who are the children going to Kids’ Kitchen, I’ve made friends within the Rainbow Advantage Program. This has given me the opportunity to work with my classmates, get to know them better, and be a partner with them to make things better."

"The kids and Kids’ Kitchen have all touched my life. And in some way, I hope I have touched them."

And one especially poignant turn around for a RAP student is described in this journal entry:

Like many in the beginning I had my doubts about whether community service would work. I wondered, could I fit it into my schedule, and even if I could, would I go. I came to realize that community service was worth a lot of points for the requirements of this course. I had to do it. I decided to attend Kids’ Kitchen on Fridays. At Kids’ Kitchen it is our responsibility to feed the kids, play with them as much as possible, talk to them about things in their lives, just hang out with them, and get to know them better.

Time doesn’t matter any more when I’m with these kids. I’ll stay for two hours or whatever it takes to get through to them; to let them know they are not to blame for what goes on their households. I’ve made good friends with Stan, John, Sam and others. They call me 'big man.' They keep telling me to play football instead of baseball!

My buddy is William. He’s nine years old and stays with me the whole time I’m there. I call him my wing man. He tells me stories of what goes on at home, and one day I went to his home myself to see if they were true. It is; he is blamed for everything. I can’t say anything to his parents about how to raise him, but I know what he is going through. I was raised by my step father. Being with William is like seeing myself when I was young–a fighter. He’s my inspiration–my reason that I don’t ever miss Kids’ Kitchen.

I like this project as it lets you spend time with kids who are at risk, kids who have no one to go home to, kids that are forced to become adults by looking after themselves. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment as the kids listen to me and look up to me. I, in some way, shape or form, can make a difference in their lives.

I believe my role in this community service is to be someone these kids can look up to for help or friendship. I try to relate to them and let them know that I too know what it is like to be a kid with problems. They need more of a friend, rather than someone telling them what to do and when to do it.

I’ll help as much as I can, because if I can change one kids’ life, I can change the future.

The students underwent personal growth, helped mentor children, and contributed to the future of education in America.

The Rainbow Advantage Program disbanded the program in June 2001 but would like to thank everyone who helped out with Kids' Kitchen over all of its successful years.