
Ken Kovach of KEYGroup Consultants was the consultant assigned to us. After six months, we finally completed the plan. It and other documents will soon be made available through the Hazelwood Christian Church website. Here are some highlights for the next 3 years:
- Integrate more detailed customer service, food service, business ethics, communication, and business management instruction into the Hazelnut training & manual required for all Hazelnut workers. We will pay particular attention to "Work Ready Competencies" established by the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board Youth Council.
- Shift from a comprehensive school year program to providing individual "Living Room Learning" series of skill workshops with emphasis on hands on learning. Examples will include Red Cross Babysitting certification; Red Cross First Aid certification, Personal Finance, Home Improvement, and Tool/Workplace Safety.
- Use existing curriculum wherever possible such as SkillsUSA, Citi Financial Literacy (for youth), Junior Achievement, OSHA's "Career Safe" program for teens, and the FDIC's "Money Management for Teens."
- Aim for outplacement of youth into quality internships, another life advancement program, or a career advancing job.
- Continued special events at The Hazelnut that bring diverse groups of people together.
- Use business students to create a new business plan for the Hazelnut and investigate a mobile unit.
- Seek grants for upgrading the coffee house and kitchen to commercial quality.
- Refine business operations, inventory tracking and financial management practices.
- Expand the UF board with skilled professionals and community representatives.
# posted by Urban Fuel, Inc. @ 3:06 PM