DA HONORABLE WILLIE L. BROWN JR. GETS PRIMED & PREPPED!

 

The Speaker Was In The House

We were delighted that Mayor Brown joined us to bring awareness about the importance of the Tourism Industry in San Francisco and how Primed & Prepped is a vehicle to entry level jobs in this industry.

Our added bonus was having award-winning broadcast journalist and author, Belva Davis who made history in 1966 when she was hired by San Francisco, California’s Channel 5, KPIX-TV, becoming the first female African American television news reporter on the West Coast.

Belva moderated the panel that consisted of Casey Neuburger, Human Resource Director at Hotel Nikko and the Chair of the P&P Advisory Board, Debra Higa, Director of Human Resources, Westin St. Francis, Lahrul Hayden, Inaugural P&P student, and Aleja Cobarruviaz, recent P&P graduate.

Before introducing Brown, Kelly walked down memory lane telling how she met him in 1990 when he was Speaker of the Assembly and from then on, he became an integral part of her career. She was his makeup artist while he was in office for 2-years.

It's official, Mayor Brown is Primed & Prepped with his personalized Chef Coat!

After his talk, Takija Gardner, Bayview YMCA Executive Director, honored Brown by presenting him with the Bayview YMCA Community & Public Service Award.

Chef Yaku, Program Chef and Food Network All Star and the Primed and Prepped students prepared the delicious appetizers that included Caprese skewers with pesto, chicken kabobs, garlic bread, meatballs, fruit salad, meat board with crackers and olives and a dessert table

YUMMY!!

Chef Yaku's Assistant, Chef Izzy  was also on hand sharing baking points with the students.

Our partners at Bi-Rite generously donated delicious cheese platters, thanks Sarah Arndt.

Kudos to Casey,  Debra, and Kevin Carroll , Executive Director, Hotel Council ( missing  from photo) for making this event happen

Man Kim, Owner Lori's Diner and Sears Fine Food and a P&P program funder expresses his positive sentiments about why he stays involved with the program, put simply he's helping to change lives! Thanks, Man Kim

Rob Twyman, Regional President Wholefoods Market-Northern California & Reno. Wholefoods Market has done quite a bit for the P&P program providing funds for scholarships, catering supplies and started a P&P Internship program.

Doris Broussard, Grand Parent, and P&P Administrative Volunteer.  Doris spoke on why she became a volunteer with the program as her granddaughter Sonte Rollins, recent P&P graduate listens intently.

Tristen Ellington, P&P Inaugural student attends Sonoma State University, making time to give back to the program. 

Judy Lepe, P&P Volunteer, Chef Kevin Tucker, Flynn Bradley, Manager of Office of Employment and Community Partnerships at San Francisco Airport, Kelly, Demetrius Durham, Workforce Development Director at Bayview YMCA and Casey Neuburger

David Shaw, Director of Communication & Marketing, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy,  Kelly and Mikael Wagner, Principal at Promotions West, P&P Fundraising Volunteers

Mildred Blackmon, P&P supporter, Kelly, and Nati Ramirez,  Owner Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant, and P&P supporter. Nati, you always said you would make it to one of our events and you did. What a great surprise it was! 

Jackie Wright, Publicist with Wright Enterprise and Belva. Thanks Jackie for securing Belva as our Moderator.

The Primed & Prepped Students 

 Are Why We Do What We Do!

Take a look at the following photos highlighting the students as they prepared for the evenings event. You will notice the teamwork, the smiles, the focus and attention to detail that is necessary while working in the kitchen.

Each student has a role and responsibility and they get right to it.

Great to see graduates coming back time after time helping out and giving back

Is that a Cell Phone I see in her hand?  That's a definite NO, NO!

Friendships develop over the years like with these two Alums both at the Fairmont Hotel

Chef Yaku  is somewhere behind the scenes making sure  everyone is on schedule

For those of you that missed Aleja on the panel speaking, you missed out. 

Alumni student Isaac with his Grandmother who absolutely loves Primed & Prepped.. Isaac, thanks for  your continual support of the program and giving back!

Is it ready?

Mayor Brown, A Hit with P&P Students

Mayor Brown made it a point to take out time to be with  the P&P students

Mayor Brown enjoyed listening to Aleja as a panelist was impressed with her confidence

Isaac is our tech savvy student as you can see him sharing something here with Mayor Brown

Primed & Prepped Program 

September 19, 2017 - May 10, 2018

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00 pm-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.