Foundry Launches Youth Entrepreneurship Program Sponsored by Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation 

The Foundry is excited to announce the start of their new Youth Entrepreneurship Program to begin on September 22nd, generously sponsored by Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. This 10 week afterschool program for 11th and 12th grade students will run from 4PM-6PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Foundry. Students enrolled will learn what it takes to become a small business owner - creating and selling items using the tools in the on-site makerspaces. 

Paul Ciminelli, President & CEO of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation said, “I’ve always had an appreciation for the powerful outcomes that an entrepreneurial spirit can deliver. My dad - our company’s founder - was driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit that remains part of the company’s DNA today. He was a self-starter from the time he was a young teenager, and he found great success while developing his natural talents and intuition over many years. Our partnership with The Foundry and this new program mirrors that process in a very deliberate, hands-on, and thoughtful way. The Foundry’s programming engages and energizes a new generation of entrepreneurs, and we couldn’t be more excited to support it.” 

The Foundry is welcoming Tamara Lewis to their growing list of talented instructors, teaching sessions in entrepreneurship for the program. Tamara Lewis is founder of Raising a Mogel, and mother to Foundry business graduate Zandra, CEO of Zandra Beauty. 

“Having Tamara join us back on-site speaks to the community of support for makers and entrepreneurs that we’ve built at The Foundry and we couldn’t be happier to have her guide our students in discovering their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship,” said Megan McNally, Executive Director of The Foundry. 

“The two instructors for our Youth Entrepreneurship Program bring a wealth of knowledge in business and making. Both Tamara Lewis and Amina Boyd have great enthusiasm for supporting young people. We are very excited to expose youth to entrepreneurship as a career pathway and way of thinking” expressed Deb Sarlin, Education Director at The Foundry. 

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, The Foundry is limiting the number of students enrolled in the program and has plans for hybrid learning options should in-person programming need to shift to remote learning. To learn more about the program or to enroll, visit their website: thefoundrybuffalo.org/youth_programs.

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About The Foundry 

Established in 2013, The Foundry uses an inclusive approach to advancing individuals through hands-on learning, entrepreneurship and exposure to possibilities. The Foundry works with youth to explore various career paths, hands-on skill-building and new digital literacies by facilitating opportunities through in-school, afterschool and workforce development programs. 

The Foundry believes that creating opportunities necessary for self-sufficiency and economic stability promotes a healthier community and provides budding entrepreneurs from throughout the city with affordable rental space, connections to mentoring, business classes, and connections to local support services. 

For more information visit www.foundrybuffalo.org.