SANDPOINT —  For a decade, longtime sushi chef and Sandpoint resident, Junior Solis has been dreaming. 

Stuck in the back of his head like a catchy song was the idea for a program that could uplift at-risk youth through the art that he loves, cooking. Inspired by his own personal journey, Solis wanted to give back to the community and help kids struggling like he did find their own path in life. 

"The Hoke Poke came about because of the need in our community,” Solis said. “There’s tons of people to help people that are addicts, that have been to prison, but how do we work to prevent that? Having some positive influence in their life can change their lives all together.” 

Today, that dream becomes a reality, with the opening of Solis’ food truck, the Hoke Poke, at the Oak Street Food Court. While Solis plans on continuing serving up mouth watering dishes, he said the truck isn’t about the food. 

"The food is part of it, but the program is the biggest reason for this,” Solis said. “I don’t want to give them a job, I want to give them life." 

As a part of the Hoke Poke program, Solis said he hopes to provide teens with job training, experience and a steady, uplifting environment. He said he feels that the community needs a program like his because it will help at-risk teens find purpose, instead of turning to drugs or alcohol. 

"I see that there a lot of the teenagers are looking for something more and there’s so many of them that are lost and feel like they have no purpose,” Solis said. “It’s not that the community needs it now, the community has needed it for awhile.” 

The Hoke Poke is intended to give at-risk youth in the area a head start, according to Solis. He said that kids won’t only be learning the process of making Poke, but how to run a business, make repairs and other necessary functions of the truck’s operation. 

"The youth are sponges that are absorbing any information that they get,” Solis said. “This will be a launching pad into a restaurant or all these other vocations that are out there, even just helping them get their GEDs, enrolling in college... giving them that mentorship and experience.” 

His goal for kids that eventually leave the program are prepared for a career of their choosing, whether it be in the cooking industry or not. He said he has spoken with several local businesses that he hopes to partner with in the future, to place kids on their career path. 

Solis has been working in sushi restaurants for the past 27 years. He said his upbringing while working in those eateries is a significant factor in him wanting to give back to the community through food. 

He picked up his first job in a restaurant as a 13-year-old to help his family afford school supplies and food. As he worked his way through the chain, he found a passion for feeding people and cooking a great meal, but there was one perk that always stood out to him. 

“I always had a meal,” Solis said. “When I first started there was times where the free meal I got at work were the only meal I ate a day. Those are the kids that I have a heart for.” 

As for the fitting name, Solis said that it started with the idea of the program and serving poke. From there, everything fell into place. 

"Hoke Poke flew off the tongue when I thought about our motto ‘It’ll turn your life around,’” Solis said. “This truck can turn the lives of teens around." 

The Hoke Poke opens today, Aug. 13, at the Oak Street Food Court, if you’re interested in learning more about the program Solis can be reached at [email protected]. 

    The Hoke Poke food truck sits in the Oak Street Food Court. The truck opens on Wednesday, Aug. 13.