Announcements and Updates:
Shenanigans Updates - Last week’s event was a success. The committee has decided to move the event back to a Jan/Feb date for 2021.
VIP Bowling Event - Saturday, March 21st is the event. Rotary’s team is ready to bowl. All of the proceeds from the Rotary Bucket this week and next week will go toward this fundraiser. Checks can be made out to VIP and turned in the bucket next week if you are interested in donating.
Rotarian volunteers will be assisting with the Food in the Backpack program this spring:
May 8th food bags will be assembled and distributed at West Side School at 1:30.
May 15th food bags will be assembled and distributed at Jackson School at 1:45.
Rotarians are set to deliver Meals on Wheels on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Inspire Coffee Program
Presenters: Erik Barber, Jesse Bongiorno, Merik Fell
Inspired Coffee is a community partnership with Inspiration Ministries. This coffee shop, located in Lake Geneva opening April 23rd, will support people in the community with special needs by providing a supportive training program and jobs. Workers will acquire such skills as: preparing and serving coffee, washing dishes, stocking shelves, and interacting with the community. The mission of Inspire Coffee is to empower adults with disabilities to live with greater purpose and achieve their individual best in a thriving environment. By putting people with special needs in the spotlight, it is the intention of the program to provide a positive experience for both the worker and the customer. More information about this new venture can be found at: www.InspiredCoffee.org
Inspiration Ministries, which has a 70 year heritage of serving people with special needs in the area, has worked with VIP, Lakeland School, and area agencies to better understand the needs of individuals participating in this program. Inspiration Ministries continues to work toward the integration of people with special needs in the community by developing a stronger transition from school to “real world”.
Presenters stressed that Inspired Coffee will be MORE than just a coffee shop. It is actually going to be a training program, as Individuals will be walked through a 12 month curriculum which will focus on developing hard / soft skills including: making coffee or blended drinks, cashiering, hosting, and interacting with customers. Learning to be dependable, gaining communication skills, and taking initiative are additional skills that employees will develop on the job. At the end of 12 months, individuals in the program will be ready to move on to other jobs in local communities. To date, Inspired Coffee has hired 17-20 employees who will average 15 hours a week on the job. Individuals hired have different types of disabilities including autism and down syndrome.
As they prepare for the grand opening, fundraising efforts continue. Already, $357,000 of the $400,000 have been raised. Naming and sponsorship opportunities are still available. More information regarding fundraising is available on the Inspired Coffee Facebook page @inspirationministrieswi. Volunteer opportunities are also available and all are welcome to join in the Volunteer Open House on March 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
