APC celebrates several programs with a cook out

Under the beautiful July sunshine and amidst peals of laughter and funky beats, the Alameda Point Collaborative community enjoyed a day full of summer fun! Our celebration included delicious BBQ, an all kids talent show that featured some amazing singing and dancing, and of course a chef-off using farm fresh vegetables from our urban farm. The fun continued with raffle prizes donated from local organizations and an epic tug of war battle and sack race.

The afternoon festivities were in support of APC’s On the Job Training Program and our Children and Youth Program, with an special emphasis on a farewell to our Micah’s, who completed their eight week immersion living program with astounding success, contributing so much value to our community.

The Micah program at APC is enjoying its second year and involves a joint partnership between St. Mary’s College, University of San Diego and APC. Students live on site at APC and develop bonds and relationships with long time residents in our community, especially the youth, as well as our staff and friends. Each Micah student is housed and given food from our urban farm, and APC Executive Director Doug Biggs notes that in return, their work at APC is quite a “resource” for our community. While some of the Micah’s work here at APC, others live here while working for other organizations. APC offers especial thanks to Abriel Simmons and Jawara “Deuce” Mills who were an awesome force in the Children and Youth Department, as well as Shelby Booker and Jacob Turnrose, who did wonderful work in the farm. We were all greatly impacted by their energy, inspiration and spirit.

During Thursday’s festivities, Alameda Point Collaborative staff engaged residents in discussion about our On the Job Training Program, offering information and encouragement about this resource that is available specifically to APC community. The six month training program gives residents the ability to choose from an array of programs to work in, including the Ploughshares Nursery, newsletter creation in the Fund Development Department, or our commercial kitchen, only to name a few. Additionally, weekly classroom sessions provide skills and knowledge to OJT participants that they will utilize in maintaining future employment. We celebrate nearly fifteen years of the On the Job Training Program since 2002 when our first classes graduated.

Thursday’s event was truly a time to celebrate the accomplishments experienced in our community by its members, and to look forward to the achievement of those in our future. And hey,getting in a little time to boogie never hurts either!