Centerplate at Gunstock Mountain Resort graduates 2nd internship class

LACONIA — The "CRAVE" program, Lakes Region Community Services' very successful partnership with Centerplate food services at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, just graduated its second class of interns. CRAVE, an acronym for Centerplate Recruiting and Assistance for Valuable Employees, is an on the job training internship program for individuals who experience disabilities. The goal of the program is to teach participants the skills needed to attain competitive employment in the food service industry.

This year's CRAVE graduates, Ben Evans of Tilton and Alicia Gilbert of Laconia were honored for their accomplishment with a graduation ceremony and an opportunity to go tubing on the mountain. Graduate Ben Evans also celebrated his achievement with a complimentary adaptive ski lesson.

"The CRAVE internship program is becoming a favorite part of my job," said Centerplate Assistant General Manager Mary MacDonald. "It is an amazing experience. The staff here really embrace the interns and the program gets better every year." Interns attend the program five days a week and work side-by-side with a mentor from Centerplate. Each intern develops an employment portfolio that includes resumes and references. Upon completing the 12-week CRAVE program, all interns receive assistance in seeking employment and other career services.

Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) is a nonprofit, comprehensive family support agency with a primary focus of providing supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and/or acquired brain disorders and their families. A dynamic human services organization, LRCS offers other essential and critical services to individuals in the Lakes Region from birth throughout their lifespan.