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Date: 6/26/2023
HOLYOKE — Fiesta Café owner Juan Montano was recognized for his ongoing work with Holyoke Transitions Academy as the City Council put into record a proclamation highlighting his positive work in the community during its June 20 meeting.
At-Large City Councilor Israel Rivera invited staff and students from Transition Academy into the Council Chambers for the recognition and to talk about the great work being done after the program reached out looking for a way to shine light on Montano. Rivera added the council unanimously approved the proclamation.
Transitions Academy is designed to prepare students ages 18-22 with disabilities for their change in status from a student to an emergent adult role. Focus is set on facets of life including employment, post-secondary education, maintaining a home, community involvement and enhancing social and personal relationships.
Director of Transitions Academy Kelsey Brousseau was joined by fellow staff and her “amazing transition students” to thank Montano for his service and detail the collaboration between him and Transitions Academy. Brousseau explained the work done in preparing her students for adult life and that a large focus is on vocational programming so students can attain life skills.
Partnerships already exist between Transitions Academy and local organizations and businesses like Kate’s Kitchen, the Print Shop and the Holyoke Children’s Museum. Now Fiesta Café has been added to that list and has become one of the academy’s “most valued partnerships” according to Brousseau.
Brousseau explained that one of her team members referred Montano as a potential partner that could help with the goals of the academy which led to an easy decision of adding a new piece to the academy’s options.
“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m looking for any type of experience for our students to get some restaurant, hands on food prep experience,’” Brousseau said.
The collaboration has led to “a wonderful work-based learning experience for our students,” according to Brousseau. Montano has committed work in his kitchen to helping academy students become more familiar and incorporate themselves with work in food services.
Most recently, Montano helped host the academy’s end of the year “Spring Fling” through catering. The event was special to the academy and its students as it was the first event of its kind since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Brousseau added that the event went so well Montano confirmed to her he would be interested in returning every year going forward for the event.
“This is how amazing of a guy he is and how much he’s giving back to his community,” Brousseau said. “Juan, you are amazing. Thank you so much for giving our students such a wonderful work-based learning experience. The job skills that they’re able to acquire in your restaurant is just believable so thank you so much.”
City Council President Todd McGee said the council was happy to recognize Montano and give him the proclamation for his service to the city and Transitions Academy. The proclamation read Montano was, “being recognized for [his] dedication and work with the Holyoke Transition Academy and in recognition of Fiesta Café.”
“Thank you for everything you do and it’s a little token to say we see it, we recognize it and we’re very grateful for it,” McGee said to Montano.
Montano himself had few words to add but said the “pure heart” of the children he gets to work with through this program makes it all worth the effort.
“I don’t do it for this [proclamation], I appreciate you guys doing this for me, but I do it for them. Their beautiful hearts and that’s it,” Montano said.