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The New Bakery was Created to Hiring Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Something new is happening
in Old Town Temecula! It’s a new bakery and their pastries aren’t
the only thing that is sweet. Oak Grove Culinary Creations
opened its doors just a few months ago and with it they teamed up
with Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) to hire three Integrated Work
(IW) clients.
David, Jon and Spencer are
a part of a vocational training program with TMI for adults with
intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These gentleman
work a weekly schedule to learn and build their job experience, with
their sights set on using those skills to earn paid employment.
The Oak Grove Center, the
management group for Culinary Creations, has a similar mission of
supporting at-risk and special needs youth in learning culinary,
vocational and hospitality skills.
Oak Grove CEO Tammy
Wilson stated, “We are proud and honored to partner with TMI.
Our goal was to provide job opportunities and training for Oak Grove,
as well as other young adults with special needs in the community.
The hard work these young men do is enriching for them, as well as
Culinary Creations!”
This bakery really has
been the perfect opportunity for both Oak Grove and TMI to follow
through with their missions in assisting those they serve, making it
a sweet deal for all!
David, Jon and Spencer
were hired as Baker’s Assistants. They perform a variety of tasks
with the assistance of their TMI Job Coach Shana Jamchi. This enables
them to learn and experience many aspects of what working in a bakery
entails. Each of their shifts can lead to something new for the trio.
Right from the start the
job challenged the group. Being in a food environment, it required
them to study for and pass the Riverside County Food Handler
Certification course, which they did successfully. Their bakery
duties include washing dishes, interacting with customers while
clearing tables, food preparation, sweeping and taking out trash, as
well as some advertising ventures (Saturdays they visit the streets
surrounding the bakery, which includes the weekly Farmer’s Market
traffic, to pass out flyers and sign spin to let people know about
the bakery).
The tasks have opened
their eyes to opportunities. They now have their sights set on
front-end training, to take orders and operate the register.
“The TMI team has added
so much ‘sweetness’ to our shop and our culinary team,” said
Culinary Creations Manager Jean Bacher. “They always come in
with a great big smile, can-do-attitude and a positive vibe that
illuminates the room and everyone they meet! As a result, we have had
many customers come to the shop for the first time because of their
positive interactions with our TMI team during their community
outreach activities. We are truly excited and honored to have them be
a part of our Oak Grove Culinary Creations family!”
This has been such a great
experience for these young men, each being thankful for the challenge
and the chance. So if you find yourself near Old Town Temecula (41923
Second Street, Suite 104), stop into Oak Grove Culinary Creations,
reward yourself with something delicious, and say “Hi” to these
awesome guys from TMI. David, Jon, and Spencer will be hard at work,
greet you with a smile, and doing their best with this amazing
opportunity, who knows they may even take your order and make your
day sweeter!
The TMI IW program is
designed to meet the employment and community integration needs of
individuals with IDD who are over the age of 18 and are Regional
Center clients. Although paid work is the desired outcome for all of
our clients, many are working as volunteers at a wide variety of
nonprofit organizations throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial
counties. In addition, clients have the opportunity to access
resources in the community such as libraries, fitness centers,
restaurants, etc. TMI’s clients actively assist in the development
of their community schedules. Their participation in making decisions
about their day reflects their unique skills, support needs and
individual preferences
If you know of a local
business who could benefit from TMI volunteers or employees, please
contact TMI at (800) 877-5452 or info@tmi-inc.org.
Press Release Provided
By TMI
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