Member Spotlight: Fresh Ministries
FreshMinistries is a 501(c)3 outreach organization working to eliminate extreme poverty by empowering communities and individuals to realize their full potential. FreshMinistries focuses on sustainable outreach in core-city Jacksonville and throughout the world, through programs to teach financial literacy, life skills, job preparation, business incubation, and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life in impoverished and crime-ridden neighborhoods.
The following programs are offered at Fresh Ministries:
LifePoint Career Institute
FreshFutures
FreshPath
Outpatient Substance Abuse
Mental Health Services
Beaver Street Enterprise Center
NativeFresh Aquaponics
LifePoint Career Institute is a vocational training and certification program targeting unemployed and underemployed adults. LifePoint currently offers a nationally recognized hospitality certification program accredited by the American Hotel and Lodging Association that trains and provides certifications in First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers and certification as a Customer Service Representative. During this 10-week program, students can expect hands-on and classroom instruction on hospitality skills. Training includes customer service, travel and tourism, food and beverage, and rooms division. A Life-skills component helps prepare students to be successful and maintain employment once hired.
FreshFutures Youth Program is a year-long program for Duval County high-school students, providing training in financial literacy, college readiness, job readiness, academic enrichment, health and wellness, family involvement, cultural outings, and leadership and character development. The program culminates with a summer internship experience for qualifying students. FreshPath offers services to 60 at-risk students each year to help them succeed in school, make good decisions and avoid future involvement with the court system. The program serves two groups, starting with students ages 10-13, who receive support services, academic help, and mentoring. Separately, the program serves youth ages 10-18, some of whom are court-involved or in need of additional support and guidance. We realized that getting arrested as a youth can be the first step on a path to a life of challenges; low educational attainment, difficulty finding employment, and too often, more arrests and prison.
FreshPath offers all youth a chance to build a brighter future. Successful program completion may result in the expungement of records for eligible participants. Comprehensive case management will also be provided to participants and their families as part of a holistic approach to removing barriers and positioning youth for success.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Outpatient Treatment Services offer a therapeutic environment designed to improve the functioning or prevent further deterioration of persons with substance use and mental health problems. Therapy sessions are offered 100 % free in Duval, Clay, St. John’s, and Nassau counties. There are flexible appointment times to work around schedules as well as a Telehealth option to help eliminate barriers to services.
Our Beaver Street Enterprise Center is a full-service business incubator in northwest Jacksonville, an area that has been economically distressed. BSEC provides client tenants with professional office space, receptionist services, and technical assistance with preparing marketing strategies, implementing business plans, and assisting with professional networking opportunities. The Center also offers a robust coaching program for business owners throughout Duval County.
Native Fresh is an education-focused commercial aquaponics farm located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Through the use of multiple urban farming techniques, we are able to grow to produce faster than traditional agriculture year-round while using significantly less water. Our dedicated staff has been committed to providing fresh, safe produce while supporting and engaging the community. In addition to supplying the local community with fresh produce, we also participate in educational events, training sessions, and tours. With the combined help of our partners, we are able to help educate thousands of kids annually and take countless more through the greenhouse. Our new Horticulture Therapy Program, launching in Spring 2023, combines an aquaponic gardening system with traditional therapeutic techniques and interventions.
