Bright Spot Ventures provides real world employment by integrating customer service experiences and business models into a job training program. The current program gives the Bright Spot youth the opportunity to grow and sell their own produce. The young adults in this program, ages 16- 22, operate an urban farm at DE State hospital where they grow starter plants for the community as well as produce to sell at The Cool Springs Farmers Market. They grow a variety of produce at this site, including squash, cucumber, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, spinach, zucchini, and a mix of different herbs. The youth also run a stand at the local farmer’s market where they sell the produce they have grown. The demand for these products has been strong, with weekly sales at the farmer’s market around $400. This money helps pay the wages of the youth in the program. The combination of growing and selling plants has given the youth the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real life experience. The youth participate in weekly classroom lessons that supplement their hands on work with background knowledge and expertise. These lessons aim to provide them with a comprehensive learning experience throughout the program and prepare them to succeed in a workplace environment. The curriculum covers basic biology and plant physiology, garden and landscaping maintenance, and general work-readiness skills. Throughout the program, the youth learn customer service skills needed to run the stand at the farmer’s market. Bright Spot Ventures also involves the youth in the management of the market as a whole. The youth gain valuable work experience operating in a retail environment as well as management and entrepreneurial expertise developing, advertising, and managing the stand at the farmer’s market.
