The Rise of a New "Pizza" Work

A Youth Social Enterprise Internship Program

System impacted youth have been a key age group that have been on our hearts this year.  Youth that come from childhood instability face unique challenges, needs and are vulnerable to homelessness, societal and sexual exploitation.  They often need a unique combination of supportive mentoring and immediate practical needs like employment and housing.

Over the last year, our team has been gathering data, researching, and meeting with stakeholders and community partners.  We’ve developed a mission, vision and strategic approach for a social enterprise internship program aiming to address the unique challenges and needs of these young adults.

We’re envisioning a social enterprise that will employ youth in need of mentorship and a healthy working environment through a pop-up pizza business.  Pop-up food enterprises have become prevalent in San Francisco, creating efficiency by eliminating overhead costs and stewarding partnership opportunities with local businesses, farmers markets, and venues.  This will provide flexibility and continued freedom to build partnerships with our neighbors and organizations.  

We’ll be piloting aspects of this vision and rolling it out over the next several months, with key areas of focus upon: mentoring and development of youth, pizza-making skills, and building community networks.

During the summer, we hosted our first Community Pizza Night, gathering our friends, families, and neighbors around the pizza oven!  Creativity flowed through the different combinations of toppings while heartfelt conversations were had around the firepit.  It was a personal joy to see our concept build connection and restoration for our community, we’re open handed to witness how God will move through this ministry!