Our youth program provides hands-on job readiness training to youth ages 15-18 for 34 weeks from October to June, approximately 10 hours per week afterschool and weekends. Youth meet for a two-hour job readiness seminar on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 where they learn critical skills for succeeding in the workplace. These include communication, teamwork, time management, and problem solving.
We blend the weekly job readiness seminars with hands-on internships where they work with our business partners for up to 8 hours per week. Depending on the youth and internship schedules, a teen could be working 2-3 days after school, typically starting at 4:00 PM, or on weekends.
Previous year’s youth worked at a variety of our partner organizations. Some did food production at Seven Stars Bakery, Rhed’s Hot Sauce, Beautiful Day Kitchen, and Harvest Kitchen. Others worked in sales at The Wright Scoop, Beautiful Day farmers market, and Urban Greens while some did both production and sales at Anchor Toffee. Another group worked in composting and gardening with Groundwork RI and City Farm. Our newest partner was Lang’s Bowlarama where youth did general work to ensure operations run smoothly.
This year we are working with many of the same partners and adding others.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a partner, click here.
"We are able to train potential employees at no cost to us at our slowest time of the year with the opportunity to hire them when our business picks up in the summer. This is great for a small business!" Rhed's Hot Sauce
"While we are still growing in terms of sales, we have a very "lean" staff. The program provided much needed help at a time when we dearly needed it. The work that the girls did, finishing truffle wrapping, creating packaging, filling, sealing, all allowed Katie and I to multi task, and get other projects finished." Anchor Toffee
I really enjoyed working with Beautiful Day again this year! The graduation party was really fun and it was nice to meet other students, see their projects, and meet other partners. Nice COMMUNITY work over there!!!! City Farm
We have a team of staff including a teacher/facilitator, volunteers, and mentors working together to provide wraparound support services for our youth.
We take the youth on field trips like bowling, the museums and other fun places. The youth graduate from our program with a bank account, a resume, certificates, professional references, friendship, a mentor, connections, a little money in their pocket, and a solid work experience that are needed for them to not just get a summer job but to thrive in the world of work.
Beatrice Ake
Facilitator/Site Coordinator
Phone: 401-318-0464
Email: beatrice@beautifuldayri.org
