This month, the Rotary Club of Huntington Beach had the pleasure of welcoming Kendra Rosales—an Assistant Principal at Ocean View High School and one of the inspiring founders of the BraveOnes Foundation.
BraveOnes was founded in 2018 by two families: the Kunzes (Rose & Jeff) and the Rosales (Kendra & David) after the passing of Rose and Jeff’s son Hendrix. Their first major effort was funding and building a dedicated “neuroscience playroom” within the neurology/neuroscience unit at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The aim was to give children — many of whom face long hospital stays and neurological challenges — a safe, joyful space to play. Their mission, put simply, is “creating childhood joy.”
Recognizing that hospital stays take a toll on entire families — emotionally, physically, and financially — BraveOnes launched “Meaningful Meals,” originally providing dinners to families with children in CHOC’s neuroscience unit. The idea: give families one less thing to worry about — food — so they can focus on caring for their child. Over time, the program adapted by providing meals to frontline health-care workers, youth in shelters, and other vulnerable community members across Orange County. To date, BraveOnes has provided thousands of meals to families and community members in need.
Finally, BraveOnes believes that every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of overcoming challenges. Through school-based programs, mentoring, and community partnerships, they equip students with tools to thrive both emotionally and academically. They are dedicated to empowering youth through resilience-building, leadership, and mental wellness support.
Learn more: braveonesfoundation.org
Instagram: @braveonesfoundation
A fun connection: Rotary first teamed up with Brave Ones during COVID-19, when our club assembled face shields (PPE) and the Brave Ones Foundation delivered them to staff at CHOC Hospital—a true example of local organizations coming together in a time of need.
We are grateful to the Brave Ones Foundation for their leadership, heart for youth, and ongoing partnership with our community. Thank you to Kendra for sharing your mission with us and for helping shape the next generation of Brave Ones right here in Huntington Beach.
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