Oak Grove Center CEO Tammy Wilson announced recently that their Culinary Program: Oak Grove Culinary Creations, has opened a storefront in Old Town Temecula
“We are so proud that because of the generosity of Bernie Truax, CEO of Truax Development, who owns the building in which we now have a storefront, we are up and operating out of ground floor space in the Truax Building in Old Town through the foreseeable future,” said Wilson. “We can’t thank him enough for his kindness and demonstration of confidence in our ability to succeed here.”
Wilson stressed that Truax has donated the space to Oak Grove Center’s Culinary Creations to give the special program a quick start to commercial success.
“This remarkable program at Oak Grove Center is teaching students not only how to prepare a wide variety of cookies, cakes, pies, and pastries as well as specialty coffees, it also teaches them teamwork, the need for a strong work ethic, and skills they can use recreationally or commercially for years to come,” said Wilson, noting that the program has existed for years at their main campus in Murrieta, but this new storefront is an amazing opportunity for expansion. All proceeds from the retail sales of the pastries, catering and other items to visiting patrons get returned into the program to sustain it and enable it to grow.
“This incredible opportunity is allowing Oak Grove Center to better showcase the talents of the students and the quality of products and service provided. The renowned center’s culinary program works in tandem with “Coffee for Compassion”, owned and operated by Rosie Taranto who is also the Fund Development Coordinator of Oak Grove and is teaching youth how to make hand-crafted lattes and other hot drinks. Robin Mc Coy with Robins Nests Desserts and Catering is teaching the skills of baking and hospitality. In addition to their storefront location they are also able to cater to local businesses and organizations for special events such as parties, weddings, birthdays, corporate meetings, and other special occasions.
Children that have difficulty with expression have found that this program, as well as the other
art-related alternative programs available at Oak Grove offer them a non-traditional means of initiating healing in a safe and supportive environment.
“Our new storefront location is open not only to our current students to work there, but also for graduates of Oak Grove and other young adults who have gone through the foster system and are looking for this type of training and skill sets,”
Said Wilson, who naturally hopes that the word spreads far and wide about this sweet new culinary operation, so they can become a self-sustaining tenant in the Truax building.
Oak Grove Center is a remarkable nonprofit residential, educational and treatment center with multiple campuses for children throughout California who have psychological, emotional and behavioral problems and special needs. Oak Grove Center’s stated mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families through education, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope. And it’s very important to note that they are helping to rebuild the lives not only of the children themselves, but also their families, since everyone is affected in one way or another.
“Culinary Creations is simply another way that Oak Grove center empowers success and transforms lives,’ added Wilson, who also noted that a Grand Opening celebration will be announced very soon.
For anyone interested in learning more about this special program, you are invited to visit cullinarycreations@oakgrove.org or call 951-677-5599 extension 2271. Tammy also encourages you to visit them for delicious cookies, desserts, coffee, breads and other specialty items in Old Town Temecula at 41923 Second Street around the corner from City Hall.