Whirlidogs Training Center Inc.

“The director reviews the 990 and rpesents to the board of directors for approval before filing.”

“The board of directors oversees compensation and approves salaries.”

“The board of directors oversees compensation and approves salaries.”

“Governing documents and financial statemetns are available for viewing by the public at the Organizaitons office upon request.”

“WhirliDogs Cafe and Training Operations WhirliDogs Cafe operates as a fully functioning restaurant and training center, providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The cafe creates an inclusive environment where employees develop workplace skills, gain independence, and contribute to the local community through meaningful work. In its first year of operations, the cafe employed and trained 23 young adults with disabilities in roles such as food preperation, customer service, cleaning, and point-of-sale transactions. Staff receive structured coaching, individualized supports, and ongoing skill development to help them succeed in both their current rroles and future employment. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes confidence-building, teamwork, and problem-solving-equipping participants with transferable skills for long-term independence. WhirliDogs tracks program outcomes to measure effectiveness. We monitor the number of individuals trained, ServSafe certifications earned, job replacements in the broader workforce, and retention of those placements. Early results have been highly encouraging several employees have successfully transitioned into competitive employment in other businesses. In addition to providing jobs, the cafe serves as a hub for community education and inclusion. Customers experience firsthand the value and capabilities of employees with disabilities, helping to reduce stigma and build a more welcoming community. The cafe has become a gathering place for local events, schools, and civic groups, further strengthening its impact. Through WhirliDogs Cafe, we demonstrate that with the right supports individuals with disabilities can thrive in the workforce, contribute meaningfully to their community, and achieve greater independence.”

“ServSafe Academy WhirliDogs Cafe operates the ServSafe Academy, a specialized training program that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills required for safe food handling and preparation. This program uses the nationally recognized ServSafe curriculum, which we have adapted to include hands-on instruction in our commercial kitchen to reinforce and build confidence in practical application. Since launching the program, we have trained more than 40 individuals, many of whom are young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking their first job in the food service industry. The Academy provides structured classroom learning combined with supervised kitchen practice, ensuring participants not only understand the content but can also apply food safety principles in real-world situations. At the conclusion of the program, participants take the ServSafe certification exam. Our program has achieved a 95 passing rate, significantly higher than national averages, demonstrating the effectiveness of our adapted teaching methods and the commitment of our students. Certification provides participants with a valuable, industry-recognized credential that greatly enhances their employability and opens pathways to competitive jobs in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service settings. In addition to certification, participants gain confidence in food preparation, sanitation, teamwork, and communication-skills that extend beyond the classroom and help them succeed in employment and community life. The ServSafe Academy illustrates our belief that with the right supports and teaching strategies, individuals of all abilities can achieve professional certifications, build meaningful careers, and contribute positively to the workforce.”

“Prep Academy The WhirliDogs Prep Academy is designed to prepare individuals for success in food service by teaching both the practical skills and specialized language used in a commercial kitchen. Many participants face challenges with technical terminology, which can create barriers to earning industry certifications such as ServSafe. The Prep Academy addresses this gap through experiential learning that blends cooking, cleaning, and vocabulary development in a supportive, hands-on environment. The course consists of four two-hour sessions held in our commercial kitchen. Under the guidance of an instructor, participants prepare full entrees-such as chicken pot pies, lasagna, enchiladas, and parmesan meatballs-that they can take home to share with their families. This structure not only builds culinary skills but also reinforces the pride of creating something meaningful for others. In addition to food preparation, participants are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen at the conclusion of each session. This step reinforces food safety practices while familiarizing participants with essential equipment and procedures, such as proper use of prep sinks, three-compartment sinks, handwashing stations, and sanitation buckets. By integrating this vocabulary and practice into real-life cooking scenarios, participants gain the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate a professional kitchen environment. The Prep Academy serves as a bridge to further training opportunities, including our ServSafe Academy. By reducing language barriers and building familiarity with commercial kitchen systems, the program increases participants likelihood of passing certification exams and succeeding in food service employment. Participants leave the program with stronger cooking skills, improved understanding of sanitation and safety practices, and enhanced readiness for both professional and personal success.”