Taziki’s HOPE Program takes root in Fairview

Students in Transition 1 special needs classes at Fairview High and Fairview Transition 2 special needs students age 18 to 22 will soon be participating in a hands on program designed to provide real-world work experience and skills to live an independent adult life.

The HOPE Program “Herbs Offering Personal Enrichment” is a partnership between Williamson County Schools and Taziki’s Mediterranean Café in Franklin to teach students with special needs all aspects of the herb business using skills that will transfer to other jobs, according to Olivia Bane, Taziki’s Marketing and Catering Director.

Fairview High School agriculture teacher Dave Harper and agriculture student mentors will lead the project in which almost three-dozen special education students will run as a year-round business. The project includes planting, growing, harvesting and delivering five different herbs to the Taziki’s restaurant on Main Street in downtown Franklin. The fresh, locally grown herbs – parsley, oregano, cilantro, basil and rosemary – will be used to flavor the restaurant’s Mediterranean-style foods.

Read more at Williamson Herald.