LIHU‘E — Dave Jordan of Friendship House was one of the more than 80 people who crowded into Sweet Marie’s on Friday during the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours event. “I’m here to learn the job,” said Jordan,
LIHU‘E — Dave Jordan of Friendship House was one of the more than 80 people who crowded into Sweet Marie’s on Friday during the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours event.
“I’m here to learn the job,” said Jordan, who found a place between the back and the front counter, where people were waiting for samples of gluten-free baked goods from Marie Cassel.
Cassel is owner and chef of the bakery and restaurant that recently opened its doors in Lihu‘e.
“We learned about Friendship House through the Kaua‘i Community Mental Health people next door,” Cassel said. “We are going to offer them about 15 to 20 hours a week under the Friendship House Transitional Employment program.”
Jordan said under the program, the supervisor of a Friendship House member assigned to an employer learns the employee’s jobs as a guarantee the job will be completed.
Should an employee fail to show up for the assigned time, the supervisor “guarantees” the work will be done, Jordan said.
“This is great,” Cassel said. “Unfortunately, the first client Jordan had lined up was unable to work out, so he’s setting up another client.”
She said under the program, Friendship House clients will receive food preparation, dishwashing and packaging jobs for the wholesale side of the business.
At the Chamber meeting, Cassel received a Lihu‘e Business Association membership, as well as a Mayoral Certificate from Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
“This is exciting,” Cassel said. “We’ve added scones to the offering, we’re thinking about doing a shoyu chicken plate and Dave Jordan comes back Tuesday to learn more about the job.”
