Nurturing Skills For Life
The Cosmic Foundation was founded in 2018 by Peg Botto, Owner and Chef at Cosmic Catering. She has a background in Human Services as a QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional) and has carried that experience with her in the food business.
Cosmic hires and trains employees who have developmental disabilities. Most staff start out as dishwashers and then are trained in other areas, such as assisting with the cleaning of Lloyd Hall, a recreation center, cashiering, stocking, barista, and baking. Along with a list of other duties and responsibilities.
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The cleaning positions are partially funded by the Fairmount Park Conservancy along with Parks and Recreation with the City of Philadelphia.
The Foundation is looking to the future to not only train for the café but for the employees to move forward with other companies.
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Our vision is to open a health conscience neighborhood establishment with upstairs apartments to further teach not only marketable employment skills but also essential life skills.
Mission Statement
To assist people living with disabilities to learn, in a supportive environment, the necessary skills for meaningful employment and a fulfilling life.
Some Of Our Success Stories
Tarah
Peg hired Tarah through a culinary program at Philabundance as a dishwasher in 2008. Through the years, she has learned to complete breakfast and lunch orders, customer service, and baking. Along with these skills came a new-found self-confidence and increased socialization.
Tyheed
Tyheed lives in the neighborhood and stopped by one day in 2013 to ask for a job. He was hired as a dishwasher but progressed because of his attention to detail. Peg taught Tyheed how to use the juicing machines and he has taken off since then. Tyheed experiments with new juice flavors. He has learned breakfast and lunch prep and provides excellent customer service.