Join 1500+ Volunteers across Northwest Indiana Changing Lives One Project at a Time!

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Nestled against the backdrop of the serene waters of Lake Michigan and the awakening economy of Michigan City, Indiana Fiddlehead Restaurant will open its doors May 2015 and begin serving comfort food that is anything but ordinary. But Fiddlehead will be more than a restaurant; it will be a community-minded training hub for veterans, serving fresh and locally sourced food and drink all under the passionate management of Mary Koselke, owner and operator of Blackbird Café, and Aaron O'Reilly, former Manager of Pikk's Tavern in downtown Valparaiso.

Fiddlehead will also open its doors to and for veterans through a specially designed employment program reserved for those who have sacrificed and served our country. The veteran training program at Fiddlehead, FERN (or Fiddlehead Employment Response Network) is a growing network Fiddlehead has established with area businesses to promote individualized training, advancement and long-term employment for service men and women. The assistant manager position at Fiddlehead will only be available to veterans and will be a yearlong apprenticeship alongside owners O'Reilly and Koselke. "We will find veterans interested in the restaurant business through both the Wounded Warrior project and Folds of Honor organization," explains O'Reilly.

O'Reilly's passion to help veterans was inspired from his family's long line of veterans. He hopes that FERN will create a domino effect within the workforce, where businesses will consider and appreciate their drive, skills and determination to serve our nation.

Join 1500+ Volunteers across Northwest Indiana Changing Lives One Project at a Time!

By: United Way Northwest Indiana Last Updated: May 15, 2015

Join 1500+ Volunteers across Northwest Indiana Changing Lives One Project at a Time! United Way Day of Caring is the largest celebration of volunteerism in Northwest Indiana, uniting local businesses, civic groups and more to make a difference in the nonprofit community. Volunteers tackle projects from painting and landscaping to...

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