Amikids, Inc.

Award Purpose the Purpose of This Program Is to Introduce and Prepare Justice-involved Youth and Young Adults for the World of Work Through Placement Into Paid Work Experiences, and on a Path to More Equitable Career Opportunities With Their Peers. Activities Performed Youth Will Be Screened by Vocational Case Managers to Determine Their Interest in a New Culinary Arts Program, Which Will Be Taught at Each Location by a Trained Chef (culinary Career Technical Instructor). BLS Projects 6% Growth Annually for Food Preparation Workers From 2020 to 2030, Indicating an In-demand Field. Youth Completing the Program Leave Will Earn the Servsafe Food Handler Credential. for the First Six Months of Program Involvement, Youth Will Participate in Classes Designed to Prepare Them for Work in the Food Service Industry, Including Food Safety, Food Handling, and Food Preparation. Youth Completing the Six Months of Classroom Training Will Have an Opportunity to Put Their Skills to Practice on a Food Truck at Each of the Three Locations. All Participants Will Work With a Violence Prevention Partner and the Amikids Team to Implement Breaking Barriers Locally, an Initiative Designed to Address Tensions Between Law Enforcement and Community Members. Deliverables 70% Education and Employment Rate in the Second Quarter After Program Exit; 60% Education and Employment Rate in the Fourth Quarter After Exit; Median Earnings in the Second Quarter After Exit of $5,750 Per Participant; 50% of Participants Earn an Industry-recognized Credential; 70% of Participants Will Demonstrate Skills Gains; Arrests for Violent Crimes After Program Entry Will Be Less Than Five Percent; and Recidivism Rate Will Be Less Than 10%. Intended Beneficiary Youth Enrolled at Amikids Tampa, Amikids White Pines, and Empowered Youth Who Have Expressed an Interest in and Aptitude for Job Placement in Culinary and Food Service Positions Subrecipient Activities at Empowered Youth, the Students Will Be Employed Directly by the Subgrantee for the First 100 Hours, and With an Employer Partner for the Second Half. at Amikids Tampa and Amikids White Pines, the Food Truck Will Be an Extension of Classroom Learning to Prepare Students for 200 Hours With a Local Employer. These Youth Will Receive Stipends for Working Shifts on the Truck.