A working mom in Lansing, Michigan, took community building and youth development into her own hands. Actually, into her own kitchen. While making french toast for her son one Friday, she decided to throw a few extra slices on, and invited a few of his friends to stop by on their way to school. Realizing how little extra effort it required, and seeing what a difference it made to the kids in her kitchen, she urged them to extend the invitation to the other children walking by.

Soon, word spread and within weeks she was chatting with 5-10 youth on a regular basis about everything from homework to relationships to sports to family life; in other words, building a relationship and building assets. Her spontaneous act has grown into an eagerly anticipated ritual that provides a number of young people with a safe place to hang out, and the knowledge that another adult in their community cares about them in a personal and meaningful way.

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