KAPA‘A — The Center for Spiritual Living in Kapa‘a is highly cognizant of the COVID-19 health and safety rules and regulations.
Because of this, persons interested in attending the Youth Group Open House, Saturday are required to RSVP and be registered ahead by calling 808-431-1700, or emailing centerforspirituallivingkauai@gmail.com.
The CSL Kaua‘i invites all children ages 5 through 13 to discover their powerful creative selves at its Youth Group Open House, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CSL Kaua‘i located in the East Kaua‘i Professional Building across the highway from the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center.
“Following nearly two years of lockdown and social distancing, we are so happy to welcome back our youth,” said Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, the CSL co-founder along with her husband, Rev. Patrick Feren. “The open house, Saturday will be a great way for kids and their parents to have fun, meet our youth team, and hear our plans for future youth programs.”
Melissa Mojo who was performing introduction to the holidays with Hank Curtis, Friday at the Kukui Grove said the open house will be a lot of fun for young people with fun classes, food, and mime instruction by Janet Carafa.
Janice Ferraz, serving as CSL Kaua‘i’s Youth leader for the past eight years, will lead the festivities.
“Empowering children is a lifetime passion of mine,” said Ferraz who has more than 20 years of experience as a licensed teacher on Kaua‘i, in Oregon, and California. “There will be lots of fun, including a creation craft booth, mime and drumming classes, a Hawaiian-style bean bag toss, and prize drawings. Our Youth Cafe Corner will include pizza and smoothies.”
As a place of exploration and discovery, CSL Kaua‘i’s youth program welcomes children from all faith groups, states a CSL release.
“The focus of the program is on empowerment and building self-esteem through games, music, hands-on lessons, crafts, sharing and community,” said Rev. Patrick. “Youth are encouraged to share themselves, their ideas, and their lives in a sacred space of trust with their leaders and other youth.”
Both CSL Kaua‘i ministers are firm believers in youth empowerment and come from strong teaching and theater backgrounds. Rev. Patrick, prior to moving to Kaua‘i eight years ago, holds a degree in Psychology and Theater, and ran his own youth theater program and acting studio.
Additionally, Rev. Patrick was the Youth Director at the NoHo Arts Center for New Thought in California for more than five years.
Rev. Rita, with a BA in Education and an MA in Theatre Education, was a theater teacher and director for many years on the mainland. Together, they ran the “Kids in Arts Program” on Kaua‘i for several years before the pandemic.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
