It’s Saturday morning and about 200 parents and children are at Burbank Elementary school in Hayward having their bodies and minds nourished. The Kids’ Breakfast Club, otherwise known as “TKBC”, organizes these Saturday Academy programs at three different elementary schools in Hayward and
Newark. The program consists of a free nutritious breakfast, reading and math literacy activities, arts and crafts activities, recreational activities, as well as a parent education component.Based in Hayward, TKBC is 16 years old this year. It was founded by Dr. Marlena Uhrik to ensure neighborhood kids and their families would have access to adequate nutrition and education activities when school was not in session.
“TKBC works to improve the quality of life for all children and families,” says Mark Salinas, Executive Director of The Kids’ Breakfast Club. He adds, “It’s a comprehensive program that assists the development of the whole child and it is designed to facilitate the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of young children and their families.”
State-certified teachers from Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) run literacy activities to support what the kids are doing in their regular school. “The intent is for kids to have fun, says Mark. “It’s a place where they can do activities that are academically driven.”
In addition to improving the kids’ reading and math skills and promoting their individual creativity through arts and crafts, there is the parent education.
Part of the parent education is raising awareness about juvenile diabetes and obesity. Most families in TKBC’s program are Hispanic. Through its relationships with UC Berkely, Kaiser Permanente, and HUSD, TKBC brings in parent educators to talk with parents about health and nutrition and distribute information.
According to the United States Census Bureau (2007), most families in Hayward earned between $50,000 and $75,000 dollars per year. “Given the high costs of living in the Bay Area, most families in Hayward work very hard and are faced everyday with enormous amounts of stress just to make ends meet,” says Mark. “ TKBC works to alleviate some of this everyday family stress by providing a neighborhood-based option to families who can come have breakfast and learn something meaningful and resourceful as a family.”
To learn more about TKBC or to volunteer, call (510) 754-8358 or visit www.tkbc.org