Volunteer Spotlight: Myrlene Lundi

Meet Myrlene: Blue Hat Volunteer and Culinary Enthusiast

Before joining CAA’s Blue Hat cooking/baking vocational training program as a volunteer, Myrlene dedicated 42 years to nursing and even attended culinary school while working full-time. Myrlene’s love for baking started with her grandmother, who began teaching her when she was a young girl.

One of Myrlene’s favorite Blue Hat stories involves connecting with Kaitlyn, a 12-year-old volunteer buddy at Blue Hat who joined the program very shy and hesitant to speak to others. Her mother shared with Myrlene that Kaitlyn was learning French—a language Myrlene also speaks. Seeing this as a chance to connect, Myrlene began speaking to Kaitlyn in French each time they met. Over time, this helped Kaitlyn feel more comfortable and confident.

As Kaitlyn’s interest in baking grew, Myrlene purchased a set of icing tips just for her, encouraging her to practice at home. Myrlene jokes that it was like giving Kaitlyn “icing homework” after seeing her budding skills. Myrlene loves to see all Blue Hat participants develop not only a love for baking and culinary skills, but to thrive through the connections and community formed in the kitchen!

Fun fact: Myrlene is a cake master in her own right! She bakes a variety of cakes, including wedding cakes, but her favorite is the Dominican cake—a moist, airy cake topped with meringue frosting and often filled with tropical flavors like guava or pineapple.

Volunteers like Myrlene have a profound impact on participants in programs like Blue Hat. Their dedication and heart make CAA a truly special community.

Written by Erica Mercado, Volunteer Spotlight is an ongoing blog series celebrating the inspiring stories of CAA volunteers.

If you're passionate about making a difference, consider joining CAA’s programs as a volunteer! Your time and skills can create meaningful change in our community. Learn more about volunteering opportunities and how you can get involved with CAA today.