The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB) organization, founded over 50 years ago, gives teenagers the opportunity to serve the community in a unique way through its candy striper program.

“[Teens] come into the hospital and learn how to deal with people, they work within the Pink Cafe, they also work in the wards when we are able to do so as well as at the Barn thrift shop [in Devonshire],” says Jane Wright, assistant manager of HAB.

According to Ms. Wright, the program benefits both the volunteers and those whom they assist.

“We have a scholarship fund that we award in their final year [in the program],” she said. “We’d like to think that we help youth at risk by keeping them off of the streets . . . and turn their lives around by serving others who are less fortunate.”

Despite the hospital’s Pink Cafe being run mostly by volunteers, they have a very vast menu with a lot of healthy dishes and local favorites that are made fresh daily.

“We stick to the script by giving people wholesome, fresh options to choose from daily, which never goes wrong for us,” Hospital Auxiliary, Pink Cafe manager Lanette Mills said. “We offer a wonderful experience for hospital staff or the general public.”

Some of the dishes and treats offered at the cafe are soups, fishcakes made with fresh Cod, fresh pastries and sandwiches and breakfast and lunch specials that change daily.
“We also go out to local farmers and get local produce whenever we can afford to, just to bring that feel and aspect into the cafe as well,” Ms. Mills said.

After only offering takeout options for months as a result of COVID-19, the cafe has recently added their tables back so that some customers can eat at tables if they wish.
“We are hoping that, in a month’s time, if we are able to get this most recent COVID-19 outbreak under control and more of our volunteers are vaccinated, we will be able to offer full service here once again,” Ms. Wright said.

Ms. Mills would like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped throughout the 18 years that she has been working with HAB.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that we are here for this community,” she said. “I implore people to come out to see what we have to offer, it comes right back to the community.”

The Pink Cafe is open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 3:30 p.m.
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