At The Phoenix Center, our mission is to prepare students for life beyond the classroom—and our longstanding Restaurant Night program is a shining example of that commitment. Now in its 23rd year, this Essex County initiative helps students with autism and multiple disabilities gain real-world experience in the food industry.
The program serves students ages 14-21 who are eager to learn about all aspects of food services—from purchasing food and checking expiration dates to dishwashing, cashiering, and ensuring kitchen maintenance and safety. Even those not directly involved in running the restaurant participate as patrons, gaining valuable social and practical skills.
Our very own Ashley Agresti sums it up perfectly:
“These kids work really hard with what they do. They put a lot of effort into this… They love their uniforms. And they have a lot of pride in the work that they put in. I’m proud of them and I’m glad that they are proud of themselves.”
Restaurant Night not only equips our students with essential vocational skills but also instills confidence, pride, and the joy of belonging to a supportive community.
To see how Restaurant Night is making a difference and learn more about our approach to real-world learning in the food industry, check out the feature on News12 NJ:
