Ennyman's Territory: Damiano Center's Kids' Kitchen Is More Than a "Safe Place"

Last Saturday I shared Six Things I Didn't Know About Damiano Center, things I have only recently discovered. One of the features of Damiano Center that I wanted to elaborate on and give special recognition to is their Kids' Kitchen, a special area that is more like the set of a television show than a kitchen.

Kids' Kitchen was started because a growing number of children were coming to the Damiano Center unaccompanied by an adult. Damiano Center staff saw this as a major unmet neighborhood need.

My own first exposure to the Kids Kitchen was at a Twin Ports Social Media Breakfast held there a few years ago. Even then, however, I only knew it as a space for kids. Here's some of what I learned more recently.

The space is serves children ages 6 to 18. Most are within walking distance, but that is not a requirement. Any child from anywhere in Duluth is welcome if they have transportation. Even children five and under are welcome if accompanied by an adult. And actually, parents are welcome to help with managing the activities that take place there.

The space is filled with books, games, art projects and other activities for children of all ages.

Though Kids' Kitchen was initially designed to make sure that all children in our neighborhood have access to quality, healthy food, it is much more than that.

A Kids' Kitchen benefit that's not widely known is the employment it provides teens during the summer. These are paid positions, through their Summer Food Corps program, which help teens gain work experience and leadership development that can prepare them for future careers. One of these responsibilities include gardening. The center has a community garden where the youth help maintain and harvest foodstuff. They also get involved with food service, child care and more. (See Ashley for details.)

Volunteers are welcome in all the programs at non-profit Damiano Center. My wife, Susie, who has been a Kids' Kitchen volunteer, says, "It's such a perfect fit for my interests! I have long been a vegetable gardener, interested in healthy food, and an artist who especially enjoys working with kids who have not had so many advantages in their lives."

Kids' Kitchen works to reduce childhood hunger and malnutrition by providing nutritious meals as well as nutrition education. It's a safe place and a fun place for kids after school and during the summer.

Kids' Kitchen hours are from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday. Meals served at 5:00 p.m.

What I like is how many things the children learn just by becoming exposed to them in this space. The following pictures each tell a story.