TOUCH A HEART NEWSLETTER | MARCH 11, 2026
Bright Futures Ahead
Last Friday, March 6, we celebrated the graduation of four interns from our food service job training program—Malachi, Keawe, Joanna, Hiʻilei—our youngest cohort to date. It was a day filled with pride and gratitude as we honored their accomplishments.
During our eight weeks together, the cohort engaged in our Growth Mindset curriculum, which helps participants increase self-awareness and recognize that lasting change begins with a single thought. Under Chef Curtis' guidance, they also received culinary training, developed hard and soft workplace skills, and passed the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Food Handler Certification exam.
Malachi expressed gratitude for the opportunity during a difficult time in his life. "I want to thank Touch A Heart for giving me another chance," he said. "They taught me to keep going no matter what."
Keawe spoke about the sense of belonging he found in the program. "No matter where we are or who we are, this is a place to belong," he shared. "This isn't just about cooking skills—it's about personal skills and how we carry ourselves."
Joanna reflected on the meaning of the experience. "Touch A Heart taught me so much more than just basic culinary training—they taught me genuine love and care," she said. "The support, encouragement, and opportunities I received here mean so much to me."
For Hiʻilei, the experience marked an important turning point. "When I first came here, I didn't have a job and I was going through a lot," she shared. "I got my food handler certification, which I didn't think I was going to get because I was struggling really hard. But they [Touch A Heart] helped put me back on my feet."
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a special lunch prepared by the graduates and our staff—a longstanding tradition.
Mahalo for your support that makes milestones like these possible. Please us in congratulating Malachi, Keawe, Joanna, and Hiʻilei and wishing them the very best in their next chapter.