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Rural Youth Establish An Economic
Base |
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The R.E.A.D.Y. (Re-thinking
Excellence for the Advancement of Developing Youth)/P.I.T.C.H.
(People in the Community Helping) organization realized a
need for youth in their rural community in southern Mississippi
to establish an economic base. The odds of us securing employment
within our communities were stacked against us. What choices
did we have? Yard maintenance? This field is highly competitive
even amongst those who are skilled. Baby sitting? The opportunities
are limited, and they don’t pay much. So members of
the R.E.A.D.Y. organization, the youth component of P.I.T.C.H.,
decided to seek funding from the Presbyterian Committee on
the Self-Development of People to develop a youth-owned and
youth-run mobile concession trailer.
In July of 2004, R.E.A.D.Y. was
blessed with a grant from the Presbyterian Committee on
the Self-Development of People and from another funder
to accomplish its goal. After brainstorming, we named our
business, “R.E.A.D.Y.’s Snack Shack.” We
designed practical uniforms, business cards, and flyers. |
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R.E.A.D.Y.'s Snack Shack. Photo by
by Rosa Shareef.
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After training and securing the needed
equipment and supplies, "R.E.A.D.Y.'s Snack Shack" began operations
on November 6, 2004. We decided to sell food at sporting events
in the community. Later, wanting to establish additional venues
along with sporting events, R.E.A.D.Y. decided to |
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sponsor monthly garage
sales, charge vendors a nominal fee for setting up to sell
used items, while we sold food to vendors and other customers.
R.E.A.D.Y. youth are learning entrepreneurial skills, earning
money, and expanding our market because other organizations
have asked us to sell for them opening up new opportunities. |
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Our menu, at first, consisted of fast foods.
Now, our menu also includes smoked turkey legs, which is one
of our biggest sellers. R.E.A.D.Y. also caters to the health
conscious customer and sells health drinks— smoothies
and “non-ice cream” ice cream, made from frozen
bananas and other fruits. R.E.A.D.Y. members are most appreciative
to the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development |
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P.I.T.C.H. members. Photo by by
Rosa Shareef
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of People because through
this effort, many doors have opened for youth in this rural
community, and our membership has increased. |
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