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Every day after school around 60 kids from Honouliuli Middle School cross the street to hang out by the Hawaii Kroc Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Kroc Center Corps Officer Major Lynn Stewart noticed the trend and knew the Kroc Center team should do something.
The result? Teen Club, initially a weekly gathering for the students held on Wednesdays, when the school has early dismissal.
At the club, students receive snacks, help with homework and participate in creative stations and conversations with staff members. Participants can also stay for teen Bible study and dinner.
While some students are members of the Kroc Center, the Teen Club activities are free to anyone who makes the journey across the road. Now, the offerings have expanded to include open gym on Mondays and Fitness Fridays, when they can use the facilities.
“We’re trying to holistically meet their needs and just really love them,” Stewart said, noting 10 teens from the group recently attended The Salvation Army’s teen camp. “We’re just glad to partner with the middle school to do this.”
Honouliuli Middle School Principal Todd Fujimori said in addition to the typical teenage pressures of “fitting in, finding themselves, finding their purpose and who they are right now,” many of the school’s students face challenges navigating social media.
Additionally, a large segment of the population live in single-parent households, which he said is not a barrier to success, but simply a situation with a unique set of challenges.
“They felt celebrated, cared for and loved. It’s important for them to know it’s not just our teachers and school staff who care about them, it’s members of the community.”
Todd Fujimori, Honouliuli Middle School Principal
According to the 2023-2024 Strive Hawaii School Performance Report, 45 percent of Honouliuli Middle School’s students were considered to be “economically disadvantaged.”
And this is all happening during a large window of the development process, Fujimori said. Research shows adolescence is second only to infancy when it comes to dynamic brain development.
“They don’t want to be told, they want us to walk with them,” he said.
And that’s the aim of the collaboration with the Teen Club.
Recently, the Kroc Center and Echelon West Oahu, its young professionals board, hosted Inspire Day at the school. The event, held Aug. 15, featured booths from around 25 businesses and organizations to give students a look at future paths after graduation. The goal? To bring inspiration and hope for the schools 800 some students along with awareness of the teen club.
“They felt celebrated, cared for and loved,” Fujimori said. “It’s important for them to know it’s not just our teachers and school staff who care about them, it’s members of the community.”
Echelon West Oahu Board Chair Cami Yano, one of the organizers of the event, said she could identify with many students’ situations—she was once in their shoes.
“I was raised by my dad and his parents and if you don’t have the support and someone to inspire and motivate you, it’s really hard to be successful,” she said, adding without key support from her grandma, she doesn’t think she would have persevered.
Yano said Inspire Day was her way of giving back, like her grandparents did.
“Students need to understand they were born with a purpose and they were made to do bigger and better things with their life,” she said.
Of particular impact? The testimonies the Echelon Board set up. One featured a board member who shared his story of overcoming alcoholism after going through a program. Now he is able to help others.
Fujimori said it showed that we all have our challenges and struggles but we can push through together.
“I do appreciate the partnership with the Kroc Center,” he said. “They’re very supportive and it’s so good to know we’re not doing this alone.”
Do Good:
- Did you know The Salvation Army served some 24 million Americans last year fighting hunger, homelessness, substance abuse and more? Where can you help? Take our quiz to find your cause and learn how you can join in today.
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