Attention Homes provides residential treatment, counseling, and safe shelter to at-risk youth in the greater Boulder area. The youth residents are provided with three meals per day.

Rhodes "devotes much of her time to planning meals, writing grocery lists, providing recipes, cooking food, and encouraging our teens to become actively involved in the preparation of meals," said Attention Homes Volunteer Program Manager, Sharon Routt.

"I mainly prepare shopping lists and dinner menus," Rhodes added, "but I sometimes cook the meals at the Broadway youth shelter as well."

Before Rhodes began volunteering with Attention Homes, residents usually ate canned food for meals. Now Rhodes focuses on planning "healthy meals that are also typical of most families' meals," she said. "There are fresh fruits and/or vegetables with each meal now."

"Sometimes we make themed meals like Cajun chicken for Mardi Gras or have a Vietnamese night . . . and the youth can suggest their favorite recipes too," said Rhodes. Rhodes also created a cookbook of recipes for Attention Homes, using a collection of her family and friends' favorite recipes, focusing on recipes that young people like.

Rhodes used to be responsible for planning five to six meals per week, but now thanks to increased donations from the community, Rhodes only plans about three meals per week. Local families make and donate meals, and restaurants, such as Old Chicago, donate meals on a regular basis.

Routt proudly added that Rhodes' "hands-on approach with our teens allows for them to understand how important a healthy lifestyle is. She has improved the nutritional value in our kid's meals, as well as introduced them to a variety of new and different meals."

"I have a strong interest in cooking and have even taken several classes at the Culinary School of the Rockies," Rhodes pointed out. "This is a great fit because I love to cook, I already had these skills from raising my own family, and I'm very organized."

Rhodes' "dedication and organization continues to impress both the kids and staff of Attention Homes," concluded Routt.

For information about volunteering with Attention Homes or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.