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TAY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The mission of Starving Artist ATX is to harness the power of food and creativity to arm young people with the tools to break the cycle of generational poverty.

A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR YOUTH

The question of how to build an equitable society is a big topic of conversation today. Starving Artist ATX's TAY (Transition Age Youth) Fellowship program aims to support those young people with big dreams living in world that affords them little privilege to accomplish those dreams, or  those that haven't felt like a dream could be part of their reality. The Program  aims to create a space and opportunity for those dreams to be dreamt and the needed supports to be realized.

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Starving Artist is a nonprofit organization with an integrated "for-profit" modeled business, which is designed to be run, with the support of volunteer mentors, by the youth fellows in the program. Through the organization of Pop-Up Dinners, Pop-Overs, and creative culinary events, fellows will not only gain experience in culinary arts, but will also learn the entire culinary hospitality industry, marketing, graphic design, social media, strategy, business finance, sales, customer service, business development and more. These concrete skills will be complemented by soft skill development through a professional and leadership curriculum, which will include communication, time management, creative problem solving, conflict resolution, working on a team, managing up and managing down, etc.

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The program is not designed to assign any young person to a specific field, but to create a space for the young person to realize their own strengths and explore their personal interests–leading them to determine their own path. We provide the tools to help them realize and accomplish all they want to be.

PROGRAM LAUNCH

RECRUITMENT

DISCOVERY & DEVELOPMENT

EVALUATION

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

PHASE 1: Discovery & Development

DISCOVERY & DEVELOPMENT

 

Host fundraising

Pop-Up Dinners

 

Hire Youth Program Associate for program development

 

Gather community input

 

Program development

RECRUITMENT

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Recruit first fellowship cohort

 

Recruit and train volunteers & mentors

 

Secure guest chefs for Pop-Up Dinners

LAUNCH

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Program begins with first cohort!

EVALUATION

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Evaluate and assess first round of programming

 

Make needed adjustments and modifications

 

Ready for round 2!

HELP US GET TO PHASE 2!

WHY WAS STARVING ARTIST ATX CREATED?

AUSTIN IS A CULINARY DESTINATION

Starving Artist ATX was created with the same degree of strategy a for-profit company is started–a need was realized and a customer was identified. Austin is gaining traction as a culinary destination. Austinites and out-of-towners alike are seeking out the next hot chef, or in the spirit of Austin, the next funky spot.

 

While money pours into the city, many of the young people that have been in Austin for generations are getting priced out of their homes. Starving Artist ATX aims to support those that may be pushed out of their neighborhood through gentrification, gain what is needed to so they can stay and benefit from it.

YOUTH PROGRAMS DROP OFF AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

Starving Artist ATX is designed specifically for TAY (transition age youth aged 18-26), to meet them where they are at in their development.

 

The K-12 education system is designed to prepare students for college. For those students that don't plan to go to college, for any number of reasons, or those that may not know what they want to do yet, those school days may feel like running on a treadmill and the next step is often unknown after leaving high school. For many, because college is not their next step, they may view their educational career as over.

 

Additionally, for those young people that may have been swept into the foster care system or the criminal justice system, a supportive, trauma-informed place to learn and develop may be needed to get to that next step.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

Higher education does not need to take place in a classroom and college is not the only path to success.

 

Many young people may not be interested in going to college or aren't sure if they'd like to go. With that, many hault their professional development and limit their professional aspirations, feeling that success if only obtained through a college education.

 

Starving Artist ATX removes the classroom, and shines a light on the many other forms of higher education both in college and not. All options are left on the table, and the many paths to success are explored.

AN EXPRESSION OF SELF

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Food is a connection to oneself–one's family, culture, heritage, community. Living in a melting pot, where people simultaneously clinge to their individuality and strive for assimilation, food has historically been a space where people can proudly celebrate and elevate their roots regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic class.

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A THERAPUETIC MECHANISM​

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Food is often used as a coping mechanism––we all have our comfort food. Low income communities are struggling with the easy access to unhealthy food items and the consistent need for comfort food to soothe the innate stress that comes with living in poverty.

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Not everyone has felt the joy of success of bringing home a paper with an A+ stamped at the top or getting picked for first string on the varsity team. Everyone has experienced the joy of taking a bite of something delicious, whether it be decadent chocolate souffle with gold leaf sprinkled on top or a cool 99¢ cone of soft serve. Food provides an opportunity to experience that success––spending the day crafting the perfect meal, taking a bite yourself and tasting that joy, and then watching others taste it and experience the same. The therapeutic power of tasting success can have a huge impact on someone's self-confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.

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Food may not be the final destination in someone's career, but it has the power to help someone realize they can choose where their journey takes them.

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A LIFE SKILL

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Cooking and nutrition are often life skills that are not given the time to fully develop. Growing up in homes with parents or caregivers that don't have the capacity to teach these skills, whether it's due to a shortage of time, knowledge, or access, we are seeing a continued increase in obesity and nutrition-related illness in low income communities.

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The TAY Fellowship Program will not only tap into the professional development opportunities that a culinary business provides, but will provide countless teaching opportunities to build each individual's knowledge of nutrition, cooking, and personal health.

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A PROFESSIONAL PLATFORM

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The food hospitality industry is multi-faceted and spans across a wide range. By using food hospitality as a platform for youth to learn, they are able to develop a wide range of both soft and hard skills. The kitchen is fast-paced, one needs to work well on a team, and time management and efficiency are keys to success.

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While revenue is generated through food, the business provides opportunity to explore a number of career paths. As the youth will be running the business, their creative ideas and personal interests will drive the business forward and further develop additional opportunities for themselves and future participants. 

WHY FOOD?

THE PROGRAM

PROFESSIONAL & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL JUSTICE

HANDS-ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING

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