Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia Works’ regional Next Generation Hospitality & Entertainment Industry Partnership (H&EIP) worked with The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company to provide the popular small business with training funds. These funds allowed their incumbent employees (current staff) to learn a new piece of baking equipment. This training helped The Famous 4th Street bakery remain open throughout the economic slowdown. The small business saw some staff transition through voluntary departures and some staff that simply refused to return to work due to health and safety concerns. In addition, The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company was launching a new training program that would assist in keeping the company compliant with the new Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) and needed workforce assistance with staying afloat during pandemic conditions.” Read the full story here.

“I had to learn as part of my recovery to advocate for myself. I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to have the CRS Course paid for, so I completed the enrollment paperwork on the first day I could.” Read the full story here.

Timbreen expressed thankfulness and credits these programs with changing his outlook on life, stating “without a support system it won’t work.” Read the full story here.