April 8, 2022 (Springfield, OH)- Fresh Abilities will hold a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on
Wednesday, April 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eagle’s Nest at Clark State College, 570
East Leffel Lane. A brief ceremony with speakers and ribbon cutting will take place at noon. The
event will include food samples, giveaways and prizes and is open to the public with RSVPs
appreciated.
Fresh Abilities relocated from COhatch – The Market to the Eagle’s Nest at Clark State
last month and began a soft launch mid-March. In addition to Fresh Abilities’ original menu of
salads, soups and smoothies, the restaurant has expanded its menu to include pizza, hot and
cold subs, and quesadillas. The restaurant will continue to add new menu items every few
months.
Fresh Abilities was established in 2020 by The Abilities Connection (TAC) as a unique training
program intended create a pipeline for workers with disabilities and other barriers to enter the
foodservice industry. Fresh Abilities employees complete over 110 hours of training in
foodservice, including food safety and preparation, customer service, and other related skills.
Trainees then transition to working in the Fresh Abilities restaurant to gain hands-on experience
in an in-demand industry before pursuing employment in local foodservice businesses.
With the foodservice industry continuing to face a critical worker shortage, skilled and
experienced employees are highly sought after.
Clark State is also working with TAC to provide the classroom curriculum for individuals to learn
the culinary industry from food preparation, customer service, handling diversity in the
workplace and effectively communicating with others. With this classroom training taking place
on the Clark State campus, a new group of prospective students who may never have
anticipated attending college will be exposed to higher education.
“Clark State is pleased and excited to welcome Fresh Abilities to the Eagle’s Nest,” said Dr. Jo
Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “Our Workforce and Business Solutions team is looking
forward to training the employees of Fresh Abilities and furthering their skills in the areas of
foodservice and safety.”
Fresh Abilities also welcomes the community to continue to dine with them. Every customer at
Fresh Abilities provides even more experience to trainees to build their skills.
Customers can enjoy indoor and outdoor dining spaces, as well as online ordering for Curbside
Pick-up and DoorDash delivery. The full menu and online ordering is available at
www.freshabilities.com. The restaurant will initially be open from 9:30 AM until 2 PM, with
extended hours beginning after the newest Fresh Abilities team members complete their
training.
Kim Hauck, newly appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities will
attend the event – her first visit to Clark County – and say a few words during the ceremony.
RSVPs for the Grand Re-Opening Celebration are appreciated by emailing bdoane@tacind.com.
###
About The Abilities Connection
The Abilities Connection (TAC) is a nonprofit organization in Springfield, Ohio that serves people
with disabilities and offers safe, inclusive places to thrive. At TAC, people with and without
disabilities collaborate in accepting work environments to learn new skills, create new things,
and reinforce their sense of purpose. TAC empowers people with disabilities and other barriers
to achieve their full potential through meaningful employment, training, and support.
About Clark State College
Founded in 1962, Clark State College has campuses in Springfield, Beavercreek, Xenia and
Bellefontaine, Ohio. Clark State offers the latest degree and certificate options in more than 131
professional fields. The annual economic impact of Clark State on Champaign, Clark, Greene and
Logan Counties reached approximately $161 million in 2016. Registration is open year-round,
and financial aid is available for those who qualify. The next academic term begins May 31,
2022.