Creating employment through access to healthy food
Creating employment through access to healthy food
November 12th, 2014
Orange, MA
The doors are open at Quabbin Harvest, a cooperatively owned market located in
downtown Orange. Formerly called the North Quabbin Community Cooperative,
Quabbin Harvest offers grocery items, produce, bulk goods and more at their
location at 12 N. Main St.
While creating access to local products, fruits and vegetables, Quabbin Harvest is
also creating local employment.
The store was previously run on an all-volunteer basis, but since it’s expansion into
downtown, it has employed six people, five of whom live in Orange.
“Building community is a part of our mission, and this means going beyond just
buying and selling food. The more jobs we can provide, the more money stays in our
local economy,” says Board member Michael Skillicorn.
Quabbin Harvest has also partnered with Community Action, a local non-profit
dedicated to promoting economic justice and improving the quality of life for people
with lower incomes, to provide job training and experience to local youth.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program is just one of Community Action
Youth Programs. Here in the North Quabbin, young people between the ages of 17 -
21 who are curious about their future and have the desire to pursue their goals
around employment and education voluntarily agree to intensive case management
where the youth work one-on-one with a case manager, participate in occupational
training, work-based learning experiences and leadership development
opportunities. Participants also receive supportive services, advocacy, and
referrals.
Community Action provides an hourly wage for the youth, Job Readiness Training
workshops, weekly site visits and ongoing support to the youth and their
supervisor. Not only do youth gain valuable work experience, they make healthy
connections with caring adults in their community.
This year 6 local businesses agreed to partner with Community Action Youth
Programs to provide meaningful internships: Athol YMCA, Athol Bird and Nature
Club, Quabbin Valley Health Care, AOTV, the Bohemian Kitchen, Clear View
Composting and Quabbin Harvest.
Monica LeMay, an Orange native, found the Community Action Youth Program
through a friend and has been working with Quabbin Harvest since June of this year.
“I’ve been working at Quabbin Harvest since it was at the old location, so I’ve been
helping to build the new store. I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to build a
business,” says LeMay.
The WIA program is now accepting applications for new enrollments. Contact
Maylea Spence, WIA Program Coordinator at 413-774-7028 ext 796. There are
some eligibility requirements.
For more information, contact:
Michael Skillicorn, Board member of Quabbin Harvest.
mskillicorn9at)gmail(dot)com
or
Helen Franchi, North Quabbin WIA Case Manager for Community Action
hfranchi(at)communityaction(dot)us
978-544-8109 ext 772