“One – two – three cups of sugar,” a child counts as he carefully measures out ingredients for a birthday cake for one of his peers.

This scene in the children’s kitchen at St. Joseph’s Home for Children has become even sweeter, thanks to Best Buy and several corporate partners who recently renovated the kitchen with new cabinetry, countertops and appliances.

The renovation has created an ideal space to expand St. Joe’s therapeutic environment beyond the classroom. Youth in the kitchen are focused on the final product, but therapists know the experience is teaching many relevant skills. The simple act of following a recipe teaches sequencing, organization and fine motor skills – and a sense of accomplishment.

“We do a lot of different activities, from kitchen safety and health-related education to cognitive skills and problem solving,” said Occupational Therapist Nancy Van Thorre.

“The kitchen provides a lot of opportunities and we’re grateful to have it,” she continued.

Several companies collaborated to make the space for those opportunities possible, including Best Buy, Bridgewood Custom Cabinetry, Cambria, Kitchen Tune-Up, Frigidaire, KitchenAid and LG Electronics. Best Buy employees volunteered to complete the work, including painting and construction. The Best Buy Children’s Foundation awarded a Tag Team Award to St. Joe’s in honor of the volunteer hours dedicated to this project.

St. Joseph’s Home for Children appreciates the generous community partnerships that have provided an inviting space for learning, leisure – and freshly baked cakes.