A late October Friday calls for a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup and that is just what awaited the Cindy’s Deli lunch crowd in Franklin Township thanks to a Palmerton teen.

Josh Ahner, a 19-year-old Behavioral Health Associates student, has been working at the deli each Friday morning after Labor Day learning the tricks of the trade from owner Caitlin Smith. He is one of several area students participating in BHA’s “Career Employment Program,” which pairs them with a local business and helps them gain personal confidence and learn job skills that will benefit them in the real world.

Smith she didn’t hesitate when asked by BHA if the deli would participate and based on the bond she’s already built with Ahner, it was the right decision.

“I really look at it like he’s not my employee, he’s my friend,” Smith said. “He’ll come in and we talk and joke. He’s smart, funny and motivated and has really been an asset for us here.”

It’s not all fun and games though. Smith has taught Ahner how to prepare soup, dice fruit and vegetables and package salad for retail sale among other skills.

“The first day he came, he made a fruit tray for catering and it was really beautiful,” Smith said. “I’m usually here by myself in the mornings and Josh has really helped in filling some gaps. When he can handle the soup, I can start prepping for the day, slice lunch meat or help customers that come in.”

Ahner said he’s learned a lot from Smith over the past month-and-a-half, but his favorite task has been preparing fruit trays.

“(Caitlin) is a very good teacher and she’s really nice,” Ahner said. “I learned how to cut fruits and vegetables. I’m having a lot of fun and I’m glad I’ve been able to help here.”

While in the program, Ahner also has a job coach through BHA. The coaches provide constant supervision and motivate students to develop their full work potential.

“I hope all of our students take away a great deal of self-confidence from these experiences and the ability to work under pressure,” Jordan Kuhns, BHA public relations and social media coordinator, said. “We have students at Kovatch Collission Center in Nesquehoning, for example, learning how to sand vehicles or detail them. This is a way for kids to step in and get these types of opportunities when they may not have been able to otherwise.”

The program wouldn’t be possible, however, without participation from businesses like Cindy’s Deli.

“Caitilin is a rock star and she has a really popular local business here, so the fact that she took the time to do this and take Josh under her wing is amazing,” Kuhns said. “She takes her time with him to explain how to different things and I can already see his confidence picking up because of the positive reinforcement she gives him.”

Based on her experience, Smith said she encourages other area business to consider getting involved with BHA’s program.

“It helps students like Josh and it helps us,” Smith said. “Some kids do gain employment out of this program. For a lot of kids, food service is their first job and there isn’t always a chance to get those basic skills early on like how to cut or just the importance of washing hands and wearing gloves. It’s a win-win.”