Program Details
Key objectives for the initiative are to build trust with the Afghan community, and provide a welcoming space for Afghan women to gather and avoid isolation, engage with volunteers from the local community, and practice job-readiness skills. We do this by exploring food entrepreneurship ideas and connecting with individuals and businesses throughout RI’s diverse food industry. Their Afghan Women Catering (AWC) start-up grew out of this endeavor with a menu researched, designed, and tested by the participants in partnership with BD’s team. In year two, our expanded cohort continues to develop cross-cultural skills while investigating other economic ventures, and different ways to earn income.
Our meetings are structured to offer classroom elements, while prioritizing hands-on time in a commercial kitchen through a group cooking activity. We emphasize the development of soft skills like: improving spoken English, time management, navigating public transportation, managing childcare, initiating communication, building confidence, and expanding community relationships. Hard skills are also taught: food safety, sourcing supplies and pricing products, customer service, and resume building.
