Business Enterprise Program Launches Residential Training Program at Cave Spring Center

This spring, five Business Enterprise Program (BEP) candidates are taking part in an innovative pilot project at GVRA’s Cave Spring Center. Thanks to an internal partnership formed between BEP and Cave Spring Center, this cohort of participants will live on campus while learning to operate their own food service businesses. 

The training program, which will take approximately 16 weeks to complete, is designed to help individuals who are blind-low vision (BLV) learn how to operate food service facilities in federal and state government buildings. The goal of the program is to assist those individuals on their paths to becoming business owners. 

“We are excited about this unique pilot project which will produce independent food service operators,” said Executive Director Chris Wells. “Thanks to extensive planning, the participants will not only have an opportunity to learn business fundamentals, but they also will gain valuable experience operating vending machines, food preparation equipment, and point-of-sale systems. It’s our hope that residing on campus will be an immersive, enriching experience for this cohort of participants.”

The curriculum features courses in food service management, customer service, and merchandising. All participants received a handbook that will help them navigate the campus, in addition to course modules that must be completed. “We are pleased with the progress the trainees have made thus far,” said Cave Spring Center Manager Greg Teems. “We are wrapping up Orientation and Mobility Training and have begun teaching the Chicago Lighthouse BEP curriculum. I’m excited to report all participants have completed their first module ahead of schedule.” 

Most of the participants said they heard about the program through friends who are already vendors. Aracely Rosillo-Duran, who is a certified vision rehab therapist, said she wants to complete the program to augment her career as a therapist. She believes owning her own food service operation will enable her to employ others while creating financial security for her family. 

Before orientation began on April 1, Executive Director Chris Wells paid a visit to the campus to meet the BEP candidates and to express his support for their journeys to entrepreneurship. “I thank Cave Spring Center Manager Greg Teems and BEP Director Leon Allen, along with their staffs, for spearheading this important work,” said Wells.