body
WHEREAS, Caf? on the Corner is a full-service restaurant and catering business on the Northside of Pittsburgh. It's owners, Michael and Lateresa Blackwell, also formed a non-profit organization, Kitchen of Grace (K.O.G.) in conjunction with Caf? on the Corner. Its social mission is to empower residents with the realization of gainful employment and community development. Another mission is to develop skills in workforce readiness, general life skills, culinary and hospitality training, and educational opportunities to 16-20 year olds. With these skills, residents can apply entrepreneurial opportunities to operate small, community owned businesses and community revitalization missions; and,
WHEREAS, the first component of K.O.G.'s delivery approach involves academic instruction, hands-on skills development, mentoring, career and personal counseling, workplace readiness, and job placement assistance. Mr. Blackwell, along with volunteer instructors recruited for their special knowledge, will provide theory and practice information targeting industry standards for safety, sanitation, and food preparation; and,
WHEREAS, the second component, long-term goal of KOG is to incorporate an intensive one-year to 18-months apprenticeship program that will offer business skills building for entrepreneurial minded young people and adult residents in the Pittsburgh area. One-on-one career specialists are assigned as mentoring coaches to participants. Support is given to develop career plans, to assist with job searches, and to support in advancing careers. While the program is free of charge, the participants are paid and offered bus passes; and,
WHEREAS, the third component includes applied training and utilizes a tested service model. This component ensures that individuals develop marketable skills while enhancing teamwork skills, communications, and self-confidence. In addition, foodservice job skills training, life skills, wraparound services, job placement,...
Click here for full text