Meet Olivia McGuire of Starting from Scratch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia McGuire.

Hi Olivia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a previous Significant Support Needs teacher, I worked with students in high school who were at times left out and excluded from activities, gatherings or classes. Among many other classes, to support inclusivity in the school setting, I worked to have my students join in the cooking classes that other students took part in.

I observed that cooking together brought community, connection, joy and laughter for everyone, especially my students. And not only that, it helped with problem-solving, communication, and self-awareness – skills that supported my students at home and to lead a more independent life.

Seeing this in my students, I had the vision to start a program for adults – by opening a nonprofit teaching kitchen. My goal was to create an organization that supports the growth of independence and workplace readiness skills for adults with neurodiversity – enabling them to become valued and confident members of the community. Starting from Scratch was founded in 2018 and was brought on as a Project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center in November of 2019.

Fun Fact: The name “Starting from Scratch” came from a road trip I took with my family where I shared my vision during our hours of driving together. My dad (being a wonderful home cook himself) said, “It’s like you’re starting from scratch!”… and that’s how we got our name!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In early 2019, myself and a small group of advisors had a “go or don’t go” decision to make in launching Starting from Scratch. We had assessed the need and had evidence to believe that Starting from Scratch was a significant need in our community; however, we were faced with weighing out financials, scope of responsibilities and even making the call whether we would serve as a nonprofit or for-profit entity.

It was go time and we went full force with our application to become a Project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. We were accepted as a Project in November of 2019 – noting that only 10 out 100 applicants who apply each year are accepted as a Project. We were on track to launch our in-person programming in March of 2020 – a date we are all much too familiar with. As did many other organizations, we knew we needed to innovate and pivot. We made a quick transition and delivered our first six-week program as a virtual opportunity starting April 2020.

However, we realized that if we were going to make this sustainable that we needed to adjust our program as closely as possible to reflect our in-person program. We revamped our program and launched our Starting from Scratch Online 2.0 in September of 2020. Since then, we have gained four partnerships, two supporting organizations providing scholarships and have served over 50 students. We will continue to live in this virtual world through the end of 2021; however, we are thrilled for our next step in opening our own location and will begin providing in-person programming in January 2022.

What we have learned over these past years is that we have a community that truly is better together. Whether it be organizations directly supporting individuals with neurodiversity or those around us, amazing work is done when we build each other up and support the strengths each person and organization brings to the table.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Starting from Scratch?
Starting from Scratch empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to learn vital skills that immediately transfer to daily life – in the comfortable and familiar environment of the kitchen. In short – we are a teaching kitchen, supporting the growth of independence and workplace readiness skills.

We currently provide a six-week virtual program called our Practical Foundations Program (PFP). Where the weekly topics serve as broad categories, the Practical Foundations Program integrates many cooking experiences throughout the curriculum that focus on individualization and choice. Since we launched our PFP, we now have partnerships with Stepping Stone Support Center, Cottonwood Community Alternatives, Developmental Pathways and The Association for Community Living. Our community is rallying behind our organization – providing scholarships to 22 out of 40 of our students served. The program achieved an 18% aggregate lift in skills – an increase from 3.20 to 3.80.

We don’t plan to stop there. We plan to take inclusion and the development of individuals skills to the next level. We will continue to deliver our PFP virtually through the remainder of the year with the goal to open our location and begin delivering in-person services in January 2022. With the support from a group of experts, we are working to expand and create a Comprehensive Development Pathway and Ambassador Program.

The Comprehensive Development Pathway is a total of 20 weeks dedicated to adults learning and applying foundational daily living and job skills, all while developing genuine relationships in a fully inclusive environment. Students will get hands-on work experience in a safe environment while continuing to develop their independence through cooking. Students, guests, and community members share in an experience as our students’ skills come to life.

The Ambassador Program is a year-long program comprised of 10 Starting from Scratch graduates. The Ambassador Team will provide mentorship to the individuals in the Practical Foundations Program and, by representing the interest of the community, will share a voice that will help direct program enhancements.

All Starting from Scratch programs provide an inclusive opportunity to experience joy, friendships and meaningful relationships. Starting from Scratch aspires to make a greater impact on the Colorado community. Where we can focus on the one individual, the choice of inclusion lies in those around us.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
As a Colorado native, the mountains have a special place in my heart. If I think of a specific moment that makes me happy, snow or sunshine, it is this. I am with either a group of friends or family, and we have made plans to go on a hike. We drive to the trailhead where we park and make sure we have everything set for our adventure. We step outside and smell the fresh mountain air. We begin, and as we are hiking, it never fails that my favorite part is when we stop in the middle of the trail, don’t say a word and take in all the sounds that nature has to offer. The birds are chirping. The river is flowing, wind blowing. Everything in that moment seems to stop. When moving along, you continue your wonderful conversations and watch the dog’s excitement when they see a squirrel. You reach your destination after a climb, and it makes it even more worthwhile.

I can relate my hikes a bit to Starting from Scratch. Hikes can sometimes be about perspective. If we look at them with the outlook that they are long, your legs might hurt, and the weather might not always be ideal, you may not enjoy it as much as you’d hope. With a start-up, there have inevitably been bumps in the road; however, I know what truly makes me happy is to see the progress and the joy in our students. I see Bella making a meal for her family. I see the laughter that comes from the students building relationships during classes. I see the independence John has when he effectively advocated and made appropriate decisions for his dietary needs. I see a community that is rallying behind to support individuals at ALL ability levels.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@startingfromscratch.love
• Website: www.startingfromscratch.love
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingfromscratch.love/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingfromscratch.love