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CREC Polaris Students Assist House of Bread Kids' Cafe
(Hartford, CT) Students participating in the School to Career Program at CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center were recognized earlier this month for their charitable efforts.
Students in the program have prepared and served food at the House of Bread in Hartford for nearly six years, and, on August 6, KISS FM 95.7 teamed up with CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center students at House of Bread to serve food and to help the nonprofit get donations. The radio station highlighted CREC’s continued involvement with House of Bread through social media.
The House of Bread can serve up to 1,000 meals each day, and it relies on volunteerism and donations to serve the growing needs of the Hartford community.
“We enjoy the partnership between CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center and the House of Bread,” said Matt Beard, operations director of the House of Bread. “It’s a learning experience for both them and us, and we are very grateful for their help and commitment.”
CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center is located in East Hartford and serves children and adolescents with learning disabilities and emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric problems. In addition to helping at the House of Bread, students work during the school year with Kid’s Café, an organization that provides free meals at Boys and Girls Club locations in Hartford for young people who qualify. Students make, bag, and box 500 sandwiches for Kids’ Café, using a system similar to an assembly line to optimize their time and complete the task.
CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center’s partnerships with House of Bread and Kids’ Café benefit all involved. Students are able to get valuable work experience, which will help them when they seek employment, and they learn the good that can come from helping others. House of Bread and Kids’ Café have come to rely on the center’s support and assistance.
“Our staff and students love going to House of Bread each week, and we truly appreciate their ongoing support,” said Lorin Charanian, a job coach at CREC’s John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center. “The relationship we have is truly amazing.”
