Boys & Girls Club’s Blue CanTEEN Food Truck

Available for Local Events

When businesses and organizations book events with Boys & Girls Club, they not only experience our high-quality food selections and excellent service, they also make a meaningful and positive impact on our youth.”

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County’s Blue CanTEEN Food Truck provides freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients, serving up new menu items at local businesses, events and markets, while providing teens 15-18 years of age with career and technical education. Jaimil Rivera, the director of Culinary Operations at Boys & Girls Club, is committed to using the work-based experience to help teens gain work, life, and leadership skills.

Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Chef Jaimil completed a bachelor’s degree in culinary management. Her career path led her to roles in luxury hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis, where she developed a passion for pastry arts and a commitment to excellence.

In her role with Boys & Girls Club, Chef Jaimil oversees culinary programs at the two campuses, in Immokalee and Naples, as well as the Blue CanTEEN. Under her leadership, the career and technical job-readiness program provides Club teens with the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art kitchen and on the food truck as they build skills in the culinary arts, restaurant management and entrepreneurship. She teaches students the fundamentals of food safety and sanitation, cooking techniques, attention to detail and customer service.

“When businesses and organizations book events with Boys & Girls Club, they not only experience our high-quality food selections and excellent service, they also make a meaningful and positive impact on our youth,” said Chef Jaimil. “With several recent and upcoming events in the community, our culinary team is also making a difference in the lives of others. Our youth begin to feel a new sense of responsibility to the community, whether participating in Empty Bowls, the Cancer Alliance Network of Bonita Springs or the recent St. Patrick’s Day parade in Naples. Youth not only experience the fundamentals of the culinary industry, these events can inspire them to either continue on the culinary path or take another route that will also allow them to have an impact in society.”

Chef Jaimil preps food with students

Catering services are available for various events from private celebrations and corporate gatherings to community functions. Fully customized menus are developed to meet the unique needs for each event. Catering services start at $3,000. To learn more about catering, contact Chef Jaimil, jrivera@bgccc.com or 239.325.1770.

Annual sponsorships and advertising opportunities are also available to provide financial support for the expansion of culinary career exploration opportunities for Club members. To learn more, contact Jennifer Nelson, Chief Development Officer, at jnelson@bgccc or call 239.325.1736.

Boys & Girls Club is the largest out-of-school provider in Collier County, serving 3,500 youth every year. Club programs provide a stable and supportive environment where teens can develop essential life skills, build self-esteem, and receive guidance from positive role models.