Kids in the Kitchen
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Organizers of the Helping Us Build program said children who have positive alternatives are less likely to become involved with gangs. Residents of the Hillcrest community started the HUB program in 2008 as an after school program. It is one of many programs under the Area Relief Ministries organization which provides support to communities. Organizers said they formed the Kids in the Kitchen program to encourage families to eat dinner together and provide food for the less fortunate within their community. “Kids in the Kitchen gives the children a sense of belonging to something. It’s a safe haven. It’s a place they can come… a place to call their own,” said Vakendaol Long, director of the Help us Build program. The young people said the organization provides them with good role models. “It helps me with my spare time. It helps me when I’m in a bad mood,” said Kylynd Robertson, a youth who attends the center. Organizers said the program gives families the opportunity to eat a meal together, something they hope they will implement at home. “We think that it is very important that families get back to the table because in talking and communicating parents can find out things about their children and children can find out things about their parents…It’s very important,” said Long.
