What is Hugs Training Academy?

With over 8 years of employment and job carving success, we have taken our vocational training beyond those we currently employ. We have expanded Hugs Café, Inc. to now include Hugs Training Academy; an educational training center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who seek to be employed in the food service and hospitality industries.

About Our Classes

Hugs Training Academy serves ages 14 and above. Trainees should be ready to use their skills to enter the workforce upon program completion.

Classes are held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney and at Dallas College. The McKinney classes will stay at Trinity Presbyterian Church until we raise the funds to build our permanent training facility.

McKinney Location- Trinity Presbyterian Church

5871 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071

Dallas Location- Dallas College

11830 Webb Chapel Rd #1200, Dallas, TX 75234

The cost to attend the Hugs Cafe Inc. Training Academy is $3,200 per semester.

The Curriculum

The Hugs Training Academy curriculum is focused on providing entry level skills to students so they are ready to enter the workforce in the culinary or hospitality fields. Subject covered at Hugs Training Academy include:

Personal Responsibility

Communication

Attitude

Learning

Customer Service

Industry and Work Specific Skills

Food Prep

Knife Skills

Baking

Bussing/Cleaning

Dishwashing

Our Instructors

With over a 120 years of special education and culinary teaching experience, our team of teachers have created one of the most unique and innovative programs to bring entry levels jobs to a wider audience.  Our goal is to offer an adaptive workplace learning experience to meet the needs of the many abilities in our community. 

Days and Times

Class is taught two days a week. Class begins at 10am and end at 3pm each day.

10:00am-12:30pm Morning Session

12:30pm-1:00pm Lunch Break

1:00pm-3:00pm Afternoon Session

2025 Semester Schedule

McKinney Campus

Spring Semester  January 22nd – April 21st

Summer Semester June 2nd – August 6th

Fall Semester September 15th – December 10th

Dallas College Campus

Spring Semester  February 4th – May 1st

Summer Semester June 3rd – August 7th

Fall Semester  September 16th – December 11th

How To Become A Student

Step 1 Fill out Hugs Training Academy Application below

Step 2 Be contacted by a member of the Hugs team to schedule an in-person assessment and student interview

Step 3 Complete in-person assessment and student interview. Provide necessary supporting documents as communicated by the Hugs Team. Discuss payment options. (The first payment must be made before the first day of attending the program.)

Step 4 Receive notice of program acceptance or recommendations and referrals

Step 5  Student beings Hugs Training Academy on scheduled semester start date