Crestwood High School students working with The JumpStart Cart provided lunch for local, county and state elected officials as well as business and industry leaders at the recent intergovernmental meeting held at Wright Township.
The quarterly luncheon meeting, organized by Wright Township supervisors, gave local business and industry leaders, including companies in the Crestwood Industrial Park, a chance to interact with township officials, Luzerne County government leaders, state Senator Linda Schlagel Culver (R-27) and state Representative Alec Ryncavage (R-119), and Crestwood School district officials.
“We are so grateful for the students working with The JumpStart Cart providing lunch for our meeting today,” commented Wright Township supervisor Don Zampetti. “Beyond the delicious meal, it gives our business community and elected officials an opportunity to see firsthand the excellent work done by students in The JumpStart Cart.”
The mission of The JumpStart Cart is to support young adults with special needs transitioning from the academic setting to the workplace. Its vision is that every individual will gain independence, skills, and self-esteem for a lifetime of success in the workforce.
Jacqueline Elick, JumpStart Cart CEO, explained that The JumpStart Cart has been able to partner with Crestwood High School through a grant that allows the program to work with the school’s Life Skills classroom. Every Friday, The JumpStart Cart provides opportunities to the students, working on a food truck and providing lunch to the teachers and staff.
“They are gaining vital skills in a variety of areas, such as meal preparation, sandwich making, money management, and social interaction with teachers/staff,’ Elick said. “Through this experience, they are building pre-vocational and life skills to prepare them to enter the workforce.”
