Our Partner
Mama’s
Kitchen
~ An NCI and Caring
Friends Culinary Initiative ~
Neighborhood Centers Inc. and
Caring Friends, Inc. are Houston based non-profits working together to
encourage small business
ownership among residents with
little investment capital.
Mama’s Kitchen is an initial
micro-enterprise business
recently created to target the
culinary cottage industry and to
give a few individuals with a
love for cooking the opportunity
to own and operate their own
successful business.
Individuals screened from
NCI’s The BRIDGE/EL PUENTE
Small Business Workshop were
selected for training in the
many phases of a start-up
business like Mama’s Kitchen.
As the business becomes
operational and profitable, the
owners will be independent of
the non-profit organizations and
well equipped for successful
business ventures.
John Collier, Executive
Director of Caring Friends
discussed a micro enterprise
idea with board member Susan
Butler. After
consultations with the staff of
NCI and learning about
their economic and community
development initiatives, Susan
began testing various items for
production and it was agreed
that the initial product would
be a hand-made shortbread cookie
designed for private label
business. Other products
would follow. NCI
is providing the kitchen at its
Ripley House community
center
for the cookie production and
financial assistance during this
initial production phase.
The project has unfolded
with great excitement and
anticipation. A group of
dedicated, hope-filled cooks are
anticipating the dream of owning
their own business and making a
difference in the education,
health and well being of their
families and neighborhood.
Neighborhood
Centers Inc. is
a 100 years old human services
organization with a mission of
“bringing resources, education
and connection to underserved
neighborhoods.” It
operates a network of 59 sites
providing child care services,
education programs, senior
activities, financial programs
and other human services
throughout the greater Houston area. NCI
is well-known as one of Houston’s major proponents
of economic and social
development, helping more than
250,000 of its neighbors reach
their full potential each year.
Caring
Friends, Inc.
initiates partnerships among the
under served that enhance God
given capacities to provide for
the care and well being of men,
women and children.
For questions or
suggestions about this project,
please contact:
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Leah
Aschmann
Economic Program
Developer
Neighborhood Centers Inc.
Lifting
Hearts.
Building Futures.
P: 713.669.5248
F: 713.669.5292
www.neighborhood-centers.org
A United Way Affiliated
Agency
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