Catering Crew Cafe in Niagara Falls city hall is part of social enterprise that creates jobs for women who've faced homelessness
Carolyn's House programming includes a 16 Week Culinary Arts Course
Catering Crew is run out of the YWCA's Carolyn's House
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month, there's a community luncheon put on by the Culinary Arts Program
Niagara Falls, NY - The next time you are at Niagara Falls City Hall or the Niagara Falls International Airport, check out the Catering Crew Cafe. This local venture includes items that you would expect at a lunch spot; sandwiches, soups and salads. But, there's much more to it than the food.
The Catering Crew is a social enterprise. It is a business within a non-profit. That non-profit is Carolyn's House, a home that opened in 2005. It helps homeless women and children by providing long-term housing. There are 19 apartments run by the YWCA of Niagara with a goal of helping woman get back on their feet. Carolyn's House offers a variety of programs from GED classes to jobs training.
The Culinary Arts Program is a 16 week course that offers participants an opportunity to learn a variety of skills. On the third Tuesday of each month, there is a luncheon for the public where the students test these skills. It's $10, and the money goes back to the program. The community really shows its support. On the day 2 On Your Side visited, the mailman came in asking, "What's for Lunch?!" A grant from the Oishei Foundation built the kitchen, and of course there is the backing of the YWCA. Graduates of the Culinary Arts Program go on to work in the restaurant industry, including with the Catering Crew.
In addition to supplying the cafes at City Hall and the airport, the Catering Crew can be contracted for private events up to 250 people. All the profits from the business go back into it to help empower more women.
You can see how this program changes lives by watching the video link.
Carolyn's House is always accepting reservations for the luncheon and donations.