WEBVTT 00:00.533 --> 00:05.500 align:left position:47.5%,start line:89% size:42.5% ♪♪♪ 00:05.600 --> 00:06.700 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5% Jamie: Nikki! 00:06.800 --> 00:08.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Christina: At the Kids Café in downtown Fresno, 00:08.600 --> 00:10.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% every customer here is delivered their food 00:10.766 --> 00:11.866 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5% with a smile. 00:11.966 --> 00:13.666 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5% Jamie: Erica! 00:13.766 --> 00:16.666 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Angel: She has the best smile. 00:16.766 --> 00:18.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Everyone who comes in just compliments her, 00:18.500 --> 00:21.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5% her smile, even when I'm away at the office and they 00:21.266 --> 00:22.633 align:left position:32.5%,start line:71% size:57.5% come up to me and they're all, 00:22.733 --> 00:25.100 align:left position:27.5%,start line:71% size:62.5% "Oh, Jamie. She's such a, she's so lovely." 00:25.200 --> 00:26.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:71% size:62.5%   They bring smiles to other people. 00:26.733 --> 00:29.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Christina: 21-year-old Jamie Murphy works at Kids Café 00:29.500 --> 00:32.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% every weekday.... delivering orders, 00:32.733 --> 00:35.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% running the cash register and prepping food. 00:35.500 --> 00:38.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% She's one of about 50 special education students 00:38.233 --> 00:41.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% learning job skills at this public restaurant owned and 00:41.566 --> 00:44.300 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% operated by the Fresno County Office of Education. 00:44.400 --> 00:47.300 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Angel: We have autism, students with autism, 00:47.400 --> 00:49.466 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% students who are intellectually disabled, 00:49.566 --> 00:52.233 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% uh, we have a student, uh, who has a, 00:52.333 --> 00:53.833 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% uh, traumatic brain injury, um, 00:53.933 --> 00:55.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% we have a student who is hard of hearing, 00:56.000 --> 00:57.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% so we really have a wide range of, 00:57.566 --> 00:59.600 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% of students and their disabilities. 00:59.700 --> 01:05.000 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% For students with a limited, work skills, 01:05.100 --> 01:06.600 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% we usually do the real simple tasks, 01:06.700 --> 01:09.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% like we have them, wipe down tables, 01:10.066 --> 01:12.833 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% chairs, basic cleaning, sweeping, 01:12.933 --> 01:14.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% mopping, things like that. 01:15.033 --> 01:17.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% And then for our students with higher abilities, 01:17.933 --> 01:21.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% such as Jamie and Jesse, we have them on, 01:21.533 --> 01:22.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5% um, the register. 01:22.766 --> 01:28.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Jamie: What I like about it is like they teach you like 01:28.766 --> 01:32.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:71% size:62.5% what to do if you don't know and um. 01:32.500 --> 01:35.100 align:left position:35%,start line:71% size:55% What else I like about it is, 01:35.200 --> 01:39.833 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% when the customers come in they say hi to you. 01:39.933 --> 01:44.866 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70%   The first time I was shy, and then I got used to it, 01:46.900 --> 01:51.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% what's it called, I wasn't shy after that. 01:51.300 --> 01:54.133 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% Christina: Fresno County Office of Education 01:54.233 --> 01:57.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% serves about 1,700 special education students, 01:57.566 --> 02:00.900 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% including 18-to-22-year-olds enrolled in an adult 02:01.000 --> 02:02.633 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65% transition program. 02:02.733 --> 02:05.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% Superintendent of Schools Jim Yovino says he wanted a 02:05.633 --> 02:06.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% place where those young adults could learn 02:06.966 --> 02:08.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5% real- life skills. 02:08.733 --> 02:10.966 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Jim: Really the main focus is to, 02:11.066 --> 02:13.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% one, socialize them, make sure they're out in the 02:13.633 --> 02:16.066 align:left position:22.5%,start line:71% size:67.5% public, that people, uh, get to meet them, 02:16.166 --> 02:17.633 align:left position:15%,start line:71% size:75% they get to meet the public. 02:17.733 --> 02:19.800 align:left position:32.5%,start line:71% size:57.5% But also, uh, prepare them for life, 02:19.900 --> 02:22.500 align:left position:32.5%,start line:71% size:57.5%   and, and what I mean by that is to live independently, 02:22.600 --> 02:26.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% to seek employment and so what better way to do that 02:26.700 --> 02:28.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% than to open our own café? 02:28.200 --> 02:31.100 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Christina: Of course, opening a café takes some 02:31.200 --> 02:32.200 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5% expertise. 02:32.300 --> 02:34.300 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% So the county turned to Paul Romero, 02:34.400 --> 02:37.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% who previously managed a Cheesecake Factory 02:37.233 --> 02:37.933 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55% restaurant. 02:38.733 --> 02:39.600 align:left position:32.5%,start line:71% size:57.5% Paul: We tried really hard to uh, 02:40.733 --> 02:42.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5% to use the same equipment, the same uh the same types 02:42.700 --> 02:44.533 align:left position:27.5%,start line:71% size:62.5% of food, the same ingredients that they would 02:44.633 --> 02:46.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:71% size:62.5%   see in a, in a full-service restaurant in the private 02:46.733 --> 02:47.700 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% sector. 02:48.766 --> 02:49.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Um, we felt like it was important for our students 02:50.666 --> 02:52.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% to see where their food really comes from and how uh 02:52.666 --> 02:53.666 align:left position:40%,start line:83% size:50% how the industry really works, 02:53.766 --> 02:55.766 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% rather than just giving them sort of a, 02:55.866 --> 02:58.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% a crutch to lean on while working here in the café. 02:58.633 --> 03:01.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% Jim: We wanted our kids to have an opportunity to learn 03:01.266 --> 03:02.566 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% the restaurant industry. 03:02.666 --> 03:04.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% We wanted to partner with our local restaurants and 03:04.933 --> 03:08.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% say, "Come on in, watch our young men and women. 03:08.800 --> 03:09.700 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% They're all employable. 03:10.700 --> 03:12.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Christina: The students must earn a food safety 03:12.266 --> 03:14.333 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% certification in the classroom before they begin 03:14.433 --> 03:15.100 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65% working in the café. 03:15.200 --> 03:17.200 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Besides cooking and cleaning, 03:17.300 --> 03:20.700 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% they also learn important social skills. 03:34.433 --> 03:36.033 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Angel: He really enjoys the register. 03:36.133 --> 03:37.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% That is like the one task here that they all 03:37.866 --> 03:39.366 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55% love to do. 03:39.466 --> 03:40.333 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5% Jesse: Ten 03:40.433 --> 03:42.466 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% Angel: We let them do what they have to 03:42.566 --> 03:46.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% do, and whenever they need our assistance we step in 03:46.666 --> 03:48.400 align:left position:25%,start line:71% size:65% Leah: We started in January, and by June, 03:48.500 --> 03:50.400 align:left position:30%,start line:71% size:60% we had totally different children. 03:50.500 --> 03:52.866 align:left position:30%,start line:71% size:60%   Parents were really surprised how much they had 03:52.966 --> 03:54.200 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% grown in so many areas. 03:54.300 --> 03:56.166 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Much more than we had ever anticipated when we started 03:56.266 --> 03:57.200 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55% the program. 03:57.300 --> 03:58.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Christina: The downtown Fresno community has 03:58.933 --> 04:02.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% embraced Kids' Café, hiring them for catering jobs and 04:02.233 --> 04:04.333 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% filling tables at lunchtime. 04:04.433 --> 04:06.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:71% size:67.5% Antonio: I think it is amazing that they have a 04:06.500 --> 04:08.866 align:left position:25%,start line:71% size:65% place that they can connect with the community, 04:08.966 --> 04:10.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5% a place they can serve the community and gain the job 04:10.933 --> 04:14.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5%   skills they'll need as adults and be able to 04:14.966 --> 04:15.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% interact with people. 04:15.966 --> 04:16.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% I think it's amazing. 04:17.866 --> 04:19.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Christina: And, they say the food is top-notch. 04:19.733 --> 04:20.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% Nikkie: Food was amazing. 04:21.000 --> 04:22.033 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% Antonio: Food was great. 04:23.166 --> 04:25.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5% Nikkie: Chowder - poblano chowder soup was so good! 04:25.100 --> 04:27.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:71% size:72.5%   Jim: We thought we were doing it for our kids. 04:27.133 --> 04:30.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% And what we found quickly, it was as important for our 04:30.133 --> 04:31.366 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5% community. 04:31.466 --> 04:35.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Most people are, they just don't know how to act, 04:35.833 --> 04:38.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% uh, around particularly kids with special needs. 04:38.733 --> 04:40.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% So what it's done is it's, it's really kind of opened 04:40.700 --> 04:43.700 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% up the eyes of many people to say, 04:43.800 --> 04:45.700 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% "Hey, these are beautiful children, 04:45.800 --> 04:47.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% they have g-, they have great gifts to give, 04:47.966 --> 04:50.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% and, uh, and we want to be part of that. 04:50.700 --> 04:52.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Paul: This is more than just enriching the lives of the 04:52.400 --> 04:53.566 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% students individually. 04:53.666 --> 04:55.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% This is a call out to the restaurant industry 04:56.000 --> 04:57.066 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55% as a whole. 04:57.166 --> 04:59.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Uh, we need to start embracing uh these students 04:59.600 --> 05:01.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% as part of our workforce. 05:01.133 --> 05:04.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% Our students uh just want the chance to show that they 05:04.100 --> 05:07.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% can do and once our industry as a whole comes to accept 05:07.100 --> 05:14.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% that, I think uh I think everybody will be happy.