Meet Teen Feed’s Newest Staff Member: Hana Kawai!
Teen Feed’s Staff and Board are excited to welcome Hana Kawai, our new Meal Program Coordinator for South King County!
Hana’s extensive background in social services and youth empowerment makes her a perfect fit for Teen Feed. Whether she’s coaching girls’ Ultimate Frisbee, coordinating evenings at our neighboring shelter ROOTS, or running program at Teen Feed she brings her easygoing humor and great attitude everywhere she goes. Enough from us – hear from Hana in her own words below!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Seattle about a mile from the University District. I’ve lived all over Seattle and plan to be here for a while!
What are you excited about with this new position at Teen Feed?
I also work at ROOTS Young Adult Homeless Shelter in the University District and run a sports-based girls leadership program out of Jefferson Community Center on Beacon Hill. I’m really excited to be working with and learning from the skilled and compassionate folks at Teen Feed and applying new knowledge to the other areas I work.
What is your favorite book?
Recently, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I resisted reading anything by him for so long because it reminded me too much of high school English class, but when I finally did I fell in love. So that or the Hellboy graphic novel series by Mike Mignola, which is phenomenal.
What do you do in your free time?
I play competitive Ultimate Frisbee with Seattle Riot and coach Frisbee at Franklin High School. And scheme with my roommates about getting chickens in our backyard!
Which of Teen Feed’s Core Values resonates with you the most?
I love Teen Feed’s focus on relationship building and meeting folks wherever they may be in their lives. I’m also excited about TF’s ongoing conversations about racial justice and equity, and thinking through what those commitments mean for the program.
What is your favorite Seattle meal?
Eating food from our garden with my roommates… on the porch while watching the sunset. We’ve got brussels sprouts coming in, which I’ve recently discovered are delicious.
What do you love about working with youth and young adults?
That they don’t put up with BS. I’ve learned so much about myself and the world from the young folks I get to work with, and I love the energy, thoughtfulness and critical eye that young people bring to the world.
We’re excited to have you on the team, Hana!