Giving In Marin - Buckelew Program's Blue Skies Cafe Debuts

It was blue skies overhead on the first day of Spring, appropriate for the grand opening of the Buckelew Program's newest addition, the Blue Sky Cafe. 

"Have some of this frittata," suggests a server holding a tray of the artichoke goodies.

He doesn't need to ask us twice.

The Cafe- a welcome addition to the Marin County Health and Wellness Connection Center where it is housed- serves up delicious, organic food and a variety of coffee drinks to patrons at the center. 

But this isn't simply a Cafe serving great food.  It does double duty as a work training program for Buckelew. 

Buckelew Programs is a non-profit organization which assists older youth and adults with mental illness, into homes, jobs and recovery services.  Buckelew, which has been around since the 70s, aims to make it possible for its clients to live independent and productive lives within the general community.

"It's been a dream for a long time!"

That's Laura Lee Sanford, Buckelew's vocational counselor who is instrumental in making the training program a success.  She works with the trainees during the six month program, to make sure they not only learn restaurant-type skills, but also basic employment requirements like showing up for work on time.

Another server walks by with a tray of iced mocha coffee frappuccinos.  Topped with whipped cream, it's perfect for the warmer weather. 

The food for the cafe is produced by Jessie & Laurent, a couple who have been preparing custom cooked meals for years.  We ask Jessie how she felt about being asked to work with Buckelew on providing the food for the Cafe-

"We were excited, we were honored, we felt privileged," she says enthusiastically, "We really wanted to do something that was more community based and this came up."

Her partner, Laurent who is wearing his chef apron, agrees-

"It was the perfect combination for us.  We didn't really want to set up a restaurant type operation, but this works well [providing the food] and we're happy to be involved."

In fact, Jessie & Laurent have been involved with Buckelew for a long time.

Matt, one of their current employees, came from Buckalew.  A few years ago, he interned in their kitchen through a County funded program.  Eventually, Jessie and Laurent were able to hire him as a full-fledged employee.

There are several folks lined up to order from the Cafe as we speak.  The menu is simple ranging from salads (we tried a Thai chicken salad which was scrumptious) to sandwiches to desserts and pastries.  The emphasis is on fresh food and organic ingredients. 

There is also a full coffee bar with lattes and espressos with fair trade coffee from Equator Estate Coffees & Teas, also based in San Rafael.

The Meline Jazz Duo play soft jazz while more people stream into the center.  Buckelew employees and managers mingle with guests, VIPs and the press.  Laurent, in his chef apron, stops for a photo with one of the trainees in the kitchen. 

Then Buckelew's Executive Director, Steve Ramsland, steps up to the microphone and thanks everyone for "helping us to build healthier, sustainable lives."  Someone stands nearby holding the gigantic ceremonial scissors that will cut the ribbon in just a few minutes. 

Ramsland acknowledges several people for their efforts, including the trainees who pose for a photo. He's followed by several speakers including Tom Peters, the Executive Director for the Marin Community Foundation who say's it's a "triple win for place, food and jobs," and then presents Steve with a check for $25,000.  LaMonte Bishop, who's standing in for State Senator Mark Leno, offers a proclamation.  

Then some prizes are raffled off, two framed and signed Marin Scapes posters, a few Marin Scapes cookbooks and a $100 dollar gift certificate for catering by Jessie & Laurent. 

The server walks by and we have just enough time to try two pieces of sweet, flaky shortbread before it's time to gather in front of the ribbon stretched across the front of the Cafe counter. 

The VIP guests and Buckelew execs line up and pose for photos, and finally the ribbon is cut.

Blue Skies Cafe is officially open for business and the skies couldn't look any bluer.

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For more information about the Buckelew Programs, check their website here.

Blue Skies Cafe is open Monday through Friday, 8a to 3p.  It is located at 3240 Kerner Blvd. in San Rafael in the back lobby area of the Connection Center at the Marin Health and Wellness Campus.

Jessie & Laurent prepare and deliver hand cooked and seasonal meals right to your door.  Here is their website.

Comments

[Monsier Droight.]

Why not just cut to the bottom line and admit that it is costing over $60,000 per year, per job at the Blue Skies Cafe....the drinks and food are overpriced, few patrons of the health and wellness site have the resources to pay, and the "training" would be readily available at any neighborhood Starbucks. Meanwhile, the "trainees" are lucky to earn minimum wage, without benefits.
Blue Skies says it all...!

[Huck Will]

def: Blue Sky: "speculative scheme which has no more basis than so many feet of blue sky."

1911 Kansas Banking Commissioner Donnely