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Grace Foundation asks borough board for funding to expand job‑training, kitchen commissary and transport
Summary
Grace Foundation representatives asked the Staten Island Borough Board to fund a kitchen commissary, a second van and equipment for a food‑truck employment program that serves about 50 day‑program participants and aims to increase job readiness for people with autism.
Kathy, a Grace Foundation representative, told the Staten Island Borough Board that the nonprofit has provided services for about 25 years and now supports a day program serving roughly 50 participants who need training and social supports.
She said the foundation debuted a food‑truck training program last year and is developing an on‑site kitchen commissary to replicate the truck environment so participants can learn cooking and food‑service routines. "We're actually creating a kitchen commissary within Grace Foundation," she said, noting the need for equipment such as deep fryers, ovens and refrigeration to make the training realistic.
The presentation emphasized transportation and staffing limits: the program runs van routes that pick groups of eight to 10 participants and requires one or two direct support professionals (DSPs) per van. Kathy said the group recently purchased one van and is seeking to buy another to avoid turning away participants who cannot be transported. She also described efforts to grow a greenhouse and year‑round gardening as part of vocational and life‑skills training.
Why it matters: presenters said employment rates for people with disabilities are not improving and that an on‑site commissary and reliable transport would create local job opportunities and sustainable programming. The foundation asked the borough to consider funding for equipment, vehicle purchase, and related supplies; presenters also noted that borough president funding rules typically limit support to one‑time items (equipment, media) rather than ongoing salaries.
The board offered brief follow‑up questions about the program schedule and transportation; the presenter said van service operates weekdays and that individual rides for medical or other needs can be accommodated in multi‑week increments where required.
The board did not take a vote on funding during the session; presenters were invited to provide follow‑up budget details to staff.
