About our Program
Our program has three primary components designed to help each young person chart their own path forward. In addition to a training and development program, we offer individualized success navigation and living wage culinary work opportunities. The kitchen is our classroom, but it is only the beginning.
Individualized Success Navigation
Since many of our youth have too much on their plate to reach their goals, our individualized success navigation helps provide the resources, support and direction they need to chart their own path.
We rely on a network of partner organizations to support unmet needs and work alongside each partner to ensure that services are effective. Success Navigators maintain regular communication with each young person, their parents or guardians, their school and/or employer and any necessary service providers.
Training & Development Program
Our training and development program follows the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Restaurant Ready curriculum. It begins with 50+ hours of paid culinary training alongside social-emotional learning. All youth earn a Food Handler’s certification, which opens up a number of hospitality opportunities.
After completing this introductory training course, youth are eligible to participate in regular enrichment activities and trainings. These activities provide positive hours of influence while providing exposure to new environments alongside unique cultural and educational experiences. Our training and development program includes topics such as financial literacy, resume writing and interview skills, first impressions, and more. We also include kitchen tours as well as cultural and community activities such as museum tours and civic events.
Upon completion of our introductory training, interested youth are eligible to work in our culinary social enterprises, which include catering, family meal services and production and sale of various food products. This creates an opportunity to apply the skills learned through our training program.
Youth begin as Interns earning $15/hr and are able to advance to up to $20/hr for management roles. Youth who are not interested in hospitality careers are supported in identifying another employment or educational path.