![WORK SKILLS: Running an iced tea and popcorn stand called Homegrown Iced Tea is part of the students' final project in the Workplace Essential Skills and Training program at VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus. Program student Estavan LaPointe [left] and Evan Ashopenace ran the money side of the operation on June 24.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/events/3037_west_program.JPG;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
Students in the Workplace Essential Skills and Training, or WEST program, at Vancouver Island University’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus, put their skills to the test today, Tuesday, June 24, by running an iced tea stand called Homegrown Iced Tea, as part of the students' final project.
"The tea is made from lemon balm and chamomile," said program student Jacob Neattas.
The lemon balm and chamomile were grown by the students in a garden on campus.
"As part of our end of year project,we are running an iced tea stand using herbs from our garden," said program student Esavan LaPointe. “We have been learning retail math, computer skills, FoodSafe, food systems and gardening skills."
All proceeds from sales are going to BC SPCA qathet.
"Our themes for this module were retail math, food systems and FoodSafe, and advanced Word," said WEST program instructor Kate Arnell. "So, we put all those things together. We have garden beds out back and grew herbs for the tea. We did our FoodSafe course; they did all the marketing, poster making and email outreach themselves."
According to the program’s description, the courses are specifically designed for neurodiverse students with developmental and cognitive disabilities, and is designed to assist student development with the personal, interpersonal and employment skills required to obtain and maintain employment.
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