Guest article submitted by Larry Fritz–
Construction has begun on a new commercial kitchen in Citrus Heights that will become part of a training academy for at-risk girls and young women.
The facility is operated by The Glass Slipper, a nonprofit organization that operates a “hospitality house” on Mariposa Avenue, near Antelope Road. The new kitchen will be used to train participants in culinary, hospitality and nutritional skills.
The Glass Slipper is an all-volunteer organization that helps girls in the foster-care system make a successful transition to adulthood through its “Ready by 21” Academy.
With many years of experience in the foster care system, founder Jackie Guzman saw that girls raised in such an environment often lacked life skills training and emotional support.
Guzman says these girls entered the foster-care system through no fault of their own and sadly find it easy to fall through the cracks, despite the efforts of social services. Citing data from www.childwelfare.gov, she also says foster youth have the highest rates of school drop-out, unemployment, exploitation and teen pregnancy, and are at the highest risk of homelessness upon emancipation from the system.
Guzman and a small group of volunteers started The Glass Slipper in 1997 to help these “at-risk” girls. The training, mentoring and emotional support provided helps the girls to improve their life skills and self-esteem while receiving guidance in positive directions.
The commercial-grade kitchen under construction will add new life skills training to the existing “Ready by 21” Academy.
Construction of the commercial kitchen is being handled by volunteers. A non-denominational men’s Bible study called, “The Band of Brothers,” as well as other volunteers and trades-people are providing most of the labor to build the kitchen from the ground up.
Money for materials is dependent upon private donors, community and local churches. Construction is currently under way on the 810-square-foot kitchen addition and is expected to be substantially completed this year.
An online video tour of The Glass Slipper’s Mariposa campus can be viewed on Youtube.
The Glass Slipper Organization, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Additional information about the organization can be found online at: www.TheGlassSlipper.org.
