More than half of U.S. adults got their first regular job in a restaurant. For justice-involved young people, food service can be an accessible first step into the workforce.
For more than a decade, KFG has helped people overcome barriers to employment. Now, Kitchens for Good is bringing culinary training for youth directly to the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.
The program combines culinary training, hands-on experience, and support services. Together, these tools help participants build skills and explore careers in the food industry.
Growing Interest in the Program
KFG originally planned to offer the program to one housing pod at a time.
But there was immediate interest from young people at the facility. So much so that the facility agreed to double the number of participants before the program even began.
Once the program was underway, interest continued to grow.
The number of young people joining the next round of programming doubled again.
That response shows how valuable career exploration can be for young people who may have had limited opportunities to explore different career paths.
More Than Learning to Cook
For these young people, culinary education is about more than learning how to cook.
Participants build practical kitchen skills. They learn how to work as part of a team. They also get to explore what a future in the culinary industry could look like.
These skills can help young people take their first steps toward employment. They can also help participants see new possibilities for their future.
From an Idea to an Ongoing Program
Programs like this often start with a simple idea and a group of people willing to support it.
The Del Mar Women’s Giving Collective provided the seed funding that allowed Kitchens for Good to launch the program at East Mesa.
That early investment gave KFG the chance to test the program and show what was possible.
KFG later earned recognition for the program as a state-approved pre-apprenticeship. We also used that early support to secure ongoing funding.
What started as an investment in an idea has grown into an ongoing opportunity for young people.
Expanding Culinary Career Exploration
The East Mesa program is just one way KFG brings culinary career exploration to young people.
KFG also recently served 24 youth through an eight-day Culinary Industry Exploration program at our main training center.
Participants got hands-on kitchen experience. They also learned more about careers in food and hospitality.
Together, these programs give young people the chance to build skills and confidence. They also give participants a chance to imagine what could come next.
We’re grateful to our partners at East Mesa for continuing to expand access to these opportunities.
We’re excited to see where these young people take their skills next.