Bridgewater Olive Garden Mentors Students

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Olive Garden in Bridgewater is helping to prepare Midland School students for the working world.

For the past seven years the Bridgewater Olive Garden provides training, employment, advancement and community inclusion to Midland students and graduates.

Recently they received the 2017 Employment Partner of the Year Award for their work with the Branchburg School.

The award was presented by the Midland School, Midland Adult Services (MAS) and The Midland Foundation at the first annual “Midland Volunteer and Community Partner Recognition Ceremony.” The ceremony honored five deserving individuals, organizations and corporations who embodied the principles of Midland through volunteerism, philanthropy, and collaboration.

“I think it’s wonderful to have the students come out once a year,” said General Manager David Meyer to Patch. “It gives them the opportunity to see the skill sets they need to work at a restaurant.”

While at Olive Garden, Meyer said students will learn how to bake bread, make salad, roll silverware and other duties.

“I think it really is fantastic because it is definitely something they can use later on in life.”

At the end of the session, students are invited to make their own pizza and enjoy salad and breadsticks.

Olive Garden and Midland graduates across the state also host a yearly Disability Mentoring Day to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration and on-site job shadowing opportunities.

(Images provided)

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