Malamiah Juice Bar: Investing in Local Youth
Jermale and Anissa Eddie are pouring their passions and values into their family business. Part of Malamiah’s mission is to provide community wellness education and youth employment opportunities. Aside from providing great resources including education classes at the Downtown Market, discounts to customers who are affiliated with partnering fitness facilities, and access to wellness advisers, Malamiah Juice Bar has also started their own Juicy Education Initiative and participates in the LEAD program (Leadership and Employment, Achievement and Direction).
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Malamiah’s Juicy Education Initiative ran as a pilot session this past year and is fully launching in January of 2016. As a part of this program, Malamiah partners with local K-12 school systems to educate children on the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Each school creates their own health challenge for their students involving aspects of physical activity and nutrition. Challenges have ranged from sharing healthy decisions on social media to dedicating your recess for running. Malamiah visits the school and presents a demo of the juicing process. Kids love seeing the blending process! When a student accomplishes the challenge, he or she gets a wristband that results in 50{6be771524f35e681d5eb1711abbe9ad08f29540a742404ae9fff00be7e8f65de} off Malamiah Juice Bar products. I love the fact that Jermale and Anissa desire to positively influence the health education in our local schools.
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Malamiah shares a partnership with the LEAD program. Through this partnership, a youth who qualifies for the program is employed by Malamiah Juice Bar. The high school student goes through a seven week program that helps them gain an understanding of professionalism. Then, he or she begins their six-month internship with Malamiah Juice Bar. Anissa absolutely loves this program and the benefits they can provide to the youth. “For many of them, this is their first real job,” says Anissa. “We have watched our LEAD employees grow as they have gotten their driver’s license and opened their first checking account for direct deposit. It works out great because we provide our staff with mentoring opportunities as well.” Jermale and Anissa have been extremely happy with their partnership with the LEAD program. They even just recently hired one of their former LEAD employees after graduation! This family owned business is deeply investing back into their community.
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As Anissa put it, “the juices are just the tip of the iceberg.” The drinks and smoothies are the vehicle for positive health changes. But the education and opportunities they are providing through these partnerships and programs will foster a deeper, long-term impact. Malamiah recently underwent an initiative to better define their organization’s culture. They are now operating under the Malamiah J.U.I.C.E. culture, standing for joyful, understanding, intentional, community, and excellence. I was absolutely blown away by this family and their business. They desperately seek to serve their community in any way that will make a positive difference.
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If you’ve never been to Malamiah Juice Bar, swing by one of their two locations. They just opened the doors of their new facility in Grandville! I told Anissa I was honestly terrified to try one of their drinks because I am such a picky eater. But I took a leap of faith. Wow, was my apple, strawberry, and lemon juice delicious!