Touch A Heart

Touch A Heart These kitchens serve as our vocational training work sites and is also where we operate our social enterprises.

We transform the lives of those facing barriers to employment by providing vocational training in a healing and nurturing environment, creating pathways to job placement. Since 2004, Touch A Heart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been offering informal social services mentorship and tutoring as well as meals to homeless individuals and families at Blaisdell Park, Waianae Boat Harbor, and t

he Kumuhonua Shelter. In 2014, we adopted a new mission and strategy, then revamped our organization’s activities to address the unique situation of those with barriers to employment. We developed a plan to partner with other nonprofit organizations that have underutilized commercial kitchens to create a food services training and apprenticeship program. Since our inception, 90% of our graduates have been successfully placed in the workforce and remain employed to this day. We appreciate our many partners who graciously donate their time and resources as well as support our Baker’s Heart and catering social enterprises. In the near future, we hope to secure our own commercial kitchen facility as well as expand our training program and social enterprises. We’re always seeking opportunities to partner and collaborate.

🎁 This Small Business Saturday, shop small by showing your support for Baker’s Heart! 🎁🛍️ Make a $50+ purchase and recei...
11/29/2024

🎁 This Small Business Saturday, shop small by showing your support for Baker’s Heart! 🎁

🛍️ Make a $50+ purchase and receive:
✨ A FREE Baker’s Heart tote bag
✨ A FREE holiday gift box

📍 Where: Our pop-up at Nordstrom Ala Moana, Level 1
🕙 When: Saturday, November 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)

Hurry—offers are available while supplies last! Don’t miss this chance to grab your holiday favorites and these special gifts. 🎄✨

This week, we added a special touch of holiday cheer to our ʻOhana Meals orders—a Thanksgiving craft made by our talente...
11/28/2024

This week, we added a special touch of holiday cheer to our ʻOhana Meals orders—a Thanksgiving craft made by our talented student volunteer, Logan! 🎨✨ His thoughtfulness and creativity bring extra warmth to the season, and we’re so grateful for his contribution. 💖

May your day be filled with gratitude, joy, and the company of loved ones. From all of us at Touch A Heart, Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re pausing to reflect on the many blessings that enrich our lives and the heartfelt grati...
11/28/2024

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re pausing to reflect on the many blessings that enrich our lives and the heartfelt gratitude shared by our Touch A Heart ʻohana. 💖

Here’s what some of our team members had to say:
✨ Associate Severino: "I'm thankful for having another change in life, turning my life around, and moving forward."
✨ Apprentice Melissa: "I'm thankful for Jesus for blessing me with His strength, courage, faith, wisdom, and confidence, and for protecting me from spiritual warfare through His Holy Spirit's power and protection. He continually gives me joy, peace, love, and comfort, for which I'm always grateful."
✨ Apprentice Larissa: "I'm thankful for my family—that I'm able to spend time with them."
✨ Apprentice Taz: "I'm thankful for a job, a roof over my head, and the opportunity to strengthen my kitchen skills."
✨ Apprentice Les (not pictured): "The opportunity to live a life today that involves my family, my kids, and my grandkids—which only God could do for me!"

We’re so thankful for our hardworking team who inspire us every day with their resilience and dedication. And to our Touch A Heart community—our volunteers, customers, donors, and partners—we’re deeply grateful for your continued support. 🌺

As we move through this busy holiday season, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on what you’re thankful for and share that gratitude with others. 🧡 From all of us at Touch A Heart, happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

🎄 Baker's Heart Holiday Pop-Up 🎄📅 Date: Saturday, November 30🕙 Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)📍 Location: No...
11/26/2024

🎄 Baker's Heart Holiday Pop-Up 🎄
📅 Date: Saturday, November 30
🕙 Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)
📍 Location: Nordstrom Ala Moana

Get ready to shop our Baker’s Heart holiday collection! 🎅🍪 Our beautifully crafted lace cookies and biscotti bites are made with locally-sourced ingredients and feature two special holiday flavors—Cranberry Cocoa and Peppermint Cocoa—alongside our classic favorites. ❄️❤️

These holiday delights are the gift that keeps on giving! By choosing Baker’s Heart, you're not only spreading joy 🎁 but also supporting job training and opportunities for individuals overcoming barriers to employment. ✨

🎄 Baker's Heart Holiday Pop-Up 🎄📅 Date: Saturday, November 23🕙 Time: 12 to 5 p.m.📍 Location: Hanatabi - à la maison by M...
11/19/2024

🎄 Baker's Heart Holiday Pop-Up 🎄
📅 Date: Saturday, November 23
🕙 Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
📍 Location: Hanatabi - à la maison by MAnYU Flowers at 2080 S King St, Unit 203 (same building as Ramen Wagaya)

We’re so grateful to à la maison by MAnYU Flowers for hosting us at their holiday gift event last year, and we’re thrilled to join them again this season at the newly transformed Hanatabi - à la maison gallery/event space! 🌺 Special thanks to owner Mami and staff member Kyoko for their incredible support in making this pop-up possible! 🙏

We’ll have samples of the following Baker's Heart products available for tasting:

[Classic Cookies – 6 Varieties]
🌟 Ulu Flour & Coconut 💚🥥
🌟 Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel Coffee 🩵🍫🧡☕️
🌟 Coconut Macadamia Nut 🥥💛
🌟 Kiawe Toasted Sesame 🤎🖤🫛
🌟 Pineapple Coconut 🍍🥥
🌟 Kiawe Pod Flour 🧡🫛

[Holiday Limited Flavors – 2 Varieties]
🌟 Peppermint Cocoa Cookie ❤️🤍🤎
🌟 Cranberry Cocoa Cookie ❤️🤎

And don’t miss our popular Biscotti Bites!
🩵 Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel Coffee
❤️ Cranberry Almond
🤎 Double Chocolate Almond

Feel free to stop by for a sample and say hello! 🙇🏻‍♀️ We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there! 🙇🏻‍♀️

🎄 Baker’s Heart Holiday Pop-Up Schedule 🎄This holiday season, find our signature lace cookies and biscotti bites at thes...
11/18/2024

🎄 Baker’s Heart Holiday Pop-Up Schedule 🎄

This holiday season, find our signature lace cookies and biscotti bites at these special pop-up events! Enjoy holiday flavors like Cranberry Cocoa and Peppermint Cocoa and support job training for those overcoming employment barriers. 🌺🍪

📅 Saturday, November 23
🕛 12 - 5 p.m.
📍 à la maison (2080 S. King St. #203)

📅 Saturday, November 30 (Small Business Saturday)
🕙 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (or until sold out)
📍 Nordstrom Ala Moana

📅 Friday, December 6
🕙 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (or until sold out)
📍 Dean & Deluca Hawaii (Royal Hawaiian Center)

📅 Thursday, December 12
🕘 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (or until sold out)
📍 Central Pacific Bank Tidepools 2024 Holiday Marketplace at Central Pacific Plaza

📅 Saturday, December 14
🕙 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (or until sold out)
📍 Nordstrom Ala Moana

Join us to shop our holiday collection and spread joy with gifts that make a difference! Mahalo for supporting Baker’s Heart!

Throughout November, we’re reflecting on the many things we’re grateful for and sharing the heartfelt gratitude of our T...
11/14/2024

Throughout November, we’re reflecting on the many things we’re grateful for and sharing the heartfelt gratitude of our Touch A Heart ʻohana. This season, our team has been expressing what they’re thankful for, from relationships and health to purpose and faith. Here are a few of their reflections:

🍁 Operations Administrator Tina (left): "My health, my family, my relationship with God."
🍁 Associate Abel (center): "My girlfriend for keeping me happy and supporting me throughout my pain and troubles. Even though we have ups and downs, without her I wouldn't be happy."
🍁 Intern Ben (right): "I'm thankful for my friends and family and all the great relationships God has blessed me with."
🍁 Apprentice Andrew: "I'm thankful that I have a job where I can earn money to pursue more opportunities."
🍁 Apprentice Bobby: "Being alive! Able to do the things today and enjoy it. So many things I am thankful for. God being part of my life."
🍁 Associate Alisa: "I'm thankful for my life and the path I'm on now. I'm also thankful for being a part of a program and having a job that helps me to grow."
🍁 Apprentice Leslie (currently on leave): "Thank you so much, Bob and Nancy, for the love and support you've given me… Most of all, I'm grateful for Bob's humor—it goes a long way and brings me so much joy."

As we continue through this season of thankfulness, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Mahalo for being part of our community, and stay tuned for more reflections from our ʻohana!

Throughout November, we’re sharing what members of our Touch A Heart ʻohana are thankful for. This week, we’re shining a...
11/07/2024

Throughout November, we’re sharing what members of our Touch A Heart ʻohana are thankful for. This week, we’re shining a light on our incredible Baker’s Heart volunteers who generously donate their time and energy to package our cookies and biscotti bites.

Here’s what a few of them shared:
🍁 "My family, of course, is the best!"
🍁 "I’m grateful for my family and friends."
🍁 "I’m thankful to be alive and for my health. I also feel thankful for family and, of course, my dog!"
🍁 "I’m thankful to be able to volunteer here. We need to socialize at our age, and this helps us connect while giving back to the community, too!"

We’re so grateful for our volunteers and all they do to spread joy during this special season and beyond. Thank you for being part of our Touch A Heart ʻohana!

Meet Melissa, whose transition from intern to apprentice has been a rewarding journey as she becomes an integral part of...
11/04/2024

Meet Melissa, whose transition from intern to apprentice has been a rewarding journey as she becomes an integral part of the Touch A Heart ʻohana. "It's really challenging, but I really like it," she shares. "I think more and am forced to make wise decisions."

Melissa has embraced new lessons with gratitude, calling our Executive Director Robin and Director of Operations and Training Colin her "angels." She’s also found purpose working with our student volunteers Kimi and Ryusuke: I felt like a mentor to them, and I liked helping them and showing them things. I feel accomplished because I can teach them and show them what I've learned through living with my own disability."

From baking’s challenges to life skills, Melissa’s journey is about growth and giving back.

🎉 Congratulations to our interns Taz (not pictured), Larissa, Ben, and Janelle on passing their Hawaii Department of Hea...
11/01/2024

🎉 Congratulations to our interns Taz (not pictured), Larissa, Ben, and Janelle on passing their Hawaii Department of Health Food Handlers certification exams! We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication to mastering these essential skills. Here’s to many more achievements ahead! 🙌

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃A big mahalo to Waipahu High School Early College for creating fun Halloween crafts for our kupuna! ...
10/31/2024

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃

A big mahalo to Waipahu High School Early College for creating fun Halloween crafts for our kupuna! 🕸️🧡 And a special shoutout to our amazing student volunteer, Logan, for coordinating this thoughtful effort! Your creativity and kindness are brought smiles and Halloween spirit to our kupuna this week. 👻

Our convenient 2-cookie packs, beautifully packaged in boxes, are now available online for just $5 each! ✨ These are per...
10/16/2024

Our convenient 2-cookie packs, beautifully packaged in boxes, are now available online for just $5 each! ✨ These are perfect for small gifts or a little treat for yourself. 🎁💕

Order yours today—🔗 link in bio—and spread some cookie joy! 🍪💌

Address

2144 North King Street (Kalihi Union Church Kitchen)
Honolulu, HI
96817

Telephone

+18087797083

Website

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Transforming Lives, One Heart at a Time

As a nonprofit, our goal is to support individuals challenged by homelessness, drug recovery, and other barriers. Through our 12-week Ho`ololi Food Services Internship, our interns experience a paid vocational training program in food services creating a foundation in cooking while learning the soft skills required to retain a job. Our interns are then guided into new job and community opportunities. All the profits from our Baker’s Heart cookies feed back into our training program to fund our interns who can then lead healthier, happier lives and provide for their families.