ASPIRA of PA WorkReady Students Win First Prize

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 16, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On August 5, 2013 over 500 talented young people arrived at the Philadelphia Convention Center to showcase numerous WorkReady projects that had been completed throughout the summer. Students from ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania (ASPIRA of PA) traveled to the WorkReady Summer Expo as well, and building upon their impressive track record of success, they took home a first place award in the "Nurturing Mind and Body" division for their Cafe ASPIRANTE project. Throughout the course of this project, ASPIRA of PA WorkReady students managed and operated a cafe at ASPIRA of PA's headquarters, where they did everything from creating menus, shopping for groceries, taking orders, preparing food, serving customers, and managing finances. Most importantly, ASPIRA of PA students gained valuable knowledge about managing a business.

The Cafe ASPIRANTE model was first developed in 2010 and won a first prize award during that summer as well. After a two-year break, ASPIRA of PA did not miss a beat in replicating the program this summer, with 13 students who dedicated six weeks of their summer to help run and manage the program. One of the unique aspects of the Cafe ASPIRANTE model is that the project was self-sustaining because ASPIRA of PA employees paid to eat at the cafe, which subsidized the cost of groceries and supplies. In addition to Cafe ASPIRANTE's impressive showing, ASPIRA of PA student Ashley Thompson also took home a third place award in the Portfolios division for her internship at Maria de los Santos Health Center. This marks the fourth consecutive year that ASPIRA of PA students have placed at the WorkReady Summer Expo.

Denise Bermudez, the Program Manager who oversaw the Cafe ASPIRANTE project, offered the following comment, "The Cafe ASPIRANTE students worked very hard on their project. It was extremely remarkable to see their transformation over the summer, as they blossomed into a well-oiled team who loved what they were doing. I am proud to have led them and I am excited for their futures, as some of them found a newly acquired love for the culinary arts." In all of this, perhaps the biggest winners were the ASPIRA of PA employees who enjoyed the delicious food all summer long.

ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit that seeks to empower the North Philadelphia community through advocacy, and the education and leadership development of its youth. In addition to its vast array of extended learning programs, ASPIRA of PA also operates five charter schools and one preschool. For more information, please contact our Development Director at 215-455-1300 x 117.

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