Snow cones with a purpose-- Sasquatch Shaved Ice has become a staple in one of Oklahoma City's most popular districts. Now, this program from the Homeless Alliance is expanding and helping more than double the number of teens in Oklahoma City along the way.
It’s the fourth season in the Plaza District for the memorable blue shipping container that houses Sasquatch Shaved Ice, and now it’s opening a second location in Bricktown.
“I think Bricktown is the quintessential Oklahoma City location. When my parents come up to visit, they go to Bricktown, so it is really neat to be a part of that vibrant community and a part of this really busy district,” says Whitley O’Connor, Sasquatch Shaved Ice manager.
Sasquatch provides life skills and development training to its young employees, and that includes financial literacy training through Oklahoma’s Credit Union.
“We try to make sure when our employees leave, they are on a firm financial footing so as they go on to college or careers, they are able to make sound financial decisions,” says O’Connor.
Sasquatch also uses money they make from the stands to match dollar for dollar what the youth saves -- toward life enriching opportunities. That includes things like college, saving more major purchases like a laptop, or something bigger like a car.
2020 is a year of growth for the non-profit. The Bricktown location is opening through a grant from the Arnall Family Foundation. The program is also starting a mobile unit through a grant from Mother Huggers.
Sasquatch provides employment opportunities for low-income youth and kids who have been in the foster care system. If you want to apply to work there, they have hard copies of the application at the stand or you can apply online here.