Our Mission
Comal's mission is to serve as a platform for economic development for aspiring immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs to learn the skills to find a great job in the culinary industry or launch their own business using our earn-while-you-learn model.
Our History
Launched by Focus Points Family Resource Center in October 2016, Comal was formed in direct response to the community-identified need for economic opportunity in the face of gentrification. Since Comal opened its doors, the training program has served 40 participants and helped launch 6 businesses.
Our Model
Comal provides immigrant and refugee women with a 24 to 36-month training program using an "earn while you learn" model. Participants receive classroom education once a week, and train in the Comal restaurant and learn on-the-job skills, test their heritage recipes and develop a "restaurant owner" mindset. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, reflecting the heritage of each aspiring entrepreneur.
Why It Works
Comal's "earn while you learn" model helps support each participant's financial sustainability while they invest this time into their future. Each participant earns a stipend that can help offset the costs of their training, such as income forgone in a low-paying job elsewhere. The model also provides flexibility to participants so that they can more easily juggle family and household responsibilities while building their skills at a time that works for them.
Our Outlook
Comal is designed to be a place where different cultures can be bridged, shared, and cherished. With the rapid development of Denver, and the increase in costs, Comal is providing the space needed to keep entrepreneurship local and thriving.
Thank You!
After eight incredible years, Comal Heritage Food Incubator has closed its doors—but the impact of this community will live on. Comal was never just a restaurant. It was a place where cultures were shared, skills were honed, and dreams were built. It was a space where immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs found their voices, their confidence, and their path forward.
Thank you to everyone for allowing us to be a part of your community!
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