McKinney East Donates Land for Hugs Training Academy
Hugs Training Academy has found its permanent home in McKinney thanks to a generous land donation from McKinney East, a local real estate developer planning a “live-work-learn-play” village next to the new municipal complex in downtown McKinney.
McKinney East has gifted Hugs Café Inc. a parcel of land to be the headquarters for Hugs Café Inc. operations and the future Hugs Training Academy facility. This land is located just east of the flagship Hugs Café and will be located directly across Andrews Street from the new TUPPS Brewery complex. Hugs Café Inc. looks forward to working with the neighborhood and the city to integrate this training facility as a resource to the community.
Hugs Training Academy is the latest expansion from Hugs Café Inc., who currently operates both Hugs Café and Hugs Greenhouse in McKinney, Texas as a way to provide employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently in its pilot program stage at Trinity Presbyterian Church, the training academy teaches students how to work in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Hugs Training Academy has made relationships with Jason’s Deli, MOD Pizza, Stix Icehouse, and Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, to collaborate in training, engage with our students, and employ our program graduates.
The Hugs Training Academy facility will provide a pool of skilled restaurant employees as well as a community awareness to inclusive hiring. The daily use of the property will be for student training, with an eventual use to have private event dinners as fundraisers and training opportunities. Skilled architect and owner of MSC Design, Matthew Crittenden, is taking the lead on the project design.
Hugs Café Inc will be unveiling its final plans for the training facility and announcing its capital campaign goal this fall.
Hugs Training Academy is the fourth program from Hugs Café Inc. Hugs Café Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit and their mission is to enhance the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through training and employment.