Lenny Jones humorously describes the difficulties he’s had cooking on his own, but this story highlights an all-too-common problem, especially for kids about to age out. Have your residents read Lenny’s story. While they’re reading, pass out index cards. When they’re done ask: How many of you know how to cook? Ask them to write out one recipe they know on the card. The recipe can be as easy as hot chocolate and toast. (If they don’t know of any, they can get one later.) Collect the recipe cards. Before the next meeting, photocopy the recipes for each of your residents.

You can also do a hands-on lesson: cooking dinner together. Plan a time and what you will cook together. Before the dinner, pick up the ingredients. Have the residents work in pairs under your supervision, each group responsible for one part of the meal. For example, one group can prepare rice; the other, chicken; another, dessert. When you’re done cooking, enjoy your feast!