Nash Community College Re-Introduce Exciting FABE Breakfast Window
Nash Community College’s mission is to “meet students where they are.” The FABE program from the College and Career Readiness office does just that as it prepares exceptional students with much-needed skills to secure employment or internships in the community.
One unique way the FABE program prepares these students is through the breakfast window stationed in the main lobby of the William S. Carver Continuing Education building. The window is open to staff and students.
“Our breakfast window is something we reopened in July, and we are excited to have it back for both our students and staff,” said Roslyn Pemberton, director of college & career readiness at NCC. “The window closed earlier in the year because we did not have an instructor, and we needed a moment to take a step back to re-envision what the program was supposed to be, more specifically, ensuring the goals we wanted to achieve.”
The window is open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and serves bagels, yogurt, and muffins, all in an array of flavors, fruit and multiple refreshing drinks.
“We are able to serve multiple drinks due to a mini-grant received from our NCC Foundation to purchase an industrial Keurig, display stand and a variety of K-cups,” said Pemberton.
Three students are participating in the program this year, and one has gotten a chance to showcase the skills they have learned in the program to gain employment.
The FABE program is Foundational Adult Basic Education and is designed for students with intellectual disabilities.
“The program is an extension of the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) activities in the Nash County Public School System, allowing students to continue their education at the community college level,” said Pemberton. “Students can expect instruction in math, language arts and specific career pathways.”
FABE provides opportunities to gain employable skills and build academic skills in a workforce context for a particular community population.
“Students build customer service communication skills, practice problem solving by managing inventory and sales promotions, manage cash sales and petty cash, which focuses on math skills, and they even learn proper kitchen etiquette, safety and cleanliness,” said Pemberton.
The breakfast window benefits staff and students who pass during the morning, but the more significant reason is the learning opportunity that directly affects the learning progression.
“This is truly special because it provides the students a real-life experience of working an actual job. We hold them to the same accountability and expectations as they would in the workforce,” said Pemberton. “Our passion is to prepare these students for a successful future and a lifelong impact on the community.”
