Golden Bird / Dare U To Care Grill

One of the unique ways in which Dare U To Care provides its clients a pathway to recovery is its partnership with the Dare U To Care Grill.Learning new job skills and the opportunity for clients to re-establish their work ethics are at the heart of this effort.When Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton originally purchased the Golden Bird franchise in Gardena at 14903 S. Western Ave., it was strictly a business deal. With the founding of Dare U To Care, the Hamiltons were inspired to develop a successful program that continues to be a win-win situation for all concerned. The “Grill” (as it is affectionately known) is well-established in the community, offering sit-down and take-out meals as well as banquet and catering services.Understanding that recovery encompasses many new ways to live life better, Mrs. Hamilton decided to open the eatery’s doors to the men and women of Dare U To Care as a training ground for employment, responsibility and leadership.Clients work in all phases of the Grill’s operation – from cooking and customer service to food safety management and inventory control.

Although the clients might lack actual restaurant experience, they do their jobs with eagerness, heart and soul under the guiding hands of Mrs. Hamilton.  Many develop useful skills that transfer to other job fields. Others perform so well that they are offered jobs at other eateries around town. And some fit so well with the Grill and its operation that they come on board after their apprenticeships are completed.

And customers who eat at the Grill say that they receive a dining experience just as good or better than they receive at other restaurants.  In fact, they return to the Grill time and time again because of  the food, atmosphere, and also to support what they feel is a worthwhile effort in helping people recover – and succeed.

The Summer Food Program and Kids’ Snacks Program

Probably the most important role the Dare U To Care Grill plays in the lives of the program and its residents is as the headquarters for the annual Summer Food Program, and its recently-launched follow-up, the Kids’ Snacks Program.

Over the summer, Dare U To Care, its staff and clients, and the Grill, partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an ambitious – and successful – program to provide hundreds of children and teens in underserved neighborhoods nutritious lunches and snacks Mondays through Fridays during school break.

When the fall semester began, Dare U To Care launched a modified version of the program, also with a great deal of success.

Clients took on many duties, all designed to give them workplace skills, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment that augments their recovery efforts.

From preparation and transportation to serving and administration, the men and women involved took on their assigned tasks with determination, success, and the desire to be of service to the neediest members of their communities.

Beyond their training, DUTC clients are learning the value of giving back to the community and interacting with children of different socio-economic levels. From all reports, the clients experience a growing sense of self-worth and personal success, two very important aspects of recovery.

These feelings are new to many of the clients working with the children; pride, a sense of accomplishment and the joys of giving back energize these people.