Positive, motivated, focused, curious. These are words that might come to mind when you meet David, a graduate of Snapchef Foundation’s culinary training program. Throughout the eight-week course, completed while he was incarcerated, David was committed to growing his skills and supporting his fellow participants to ensure they all had a secure future.

David heard about Snapchef from a friend. “It caught my eye that they talked about job placement. I wanted a place to help with employment once I was released,” says David. He was eager to find employment when he was released and already had experience with cooking. He wanted not only to support his family financially, but also through healthy, home-cooked meals.

His hard-working and unwaveringly positive attitude made him an ideal candidate for the culinary program, which – supported by funding from Commonwealth Corporation’s Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration grant program – provides returning citizens with job training and resources on employability, mental health, decision-making, and more.

To identify potential participants, Snapchef Foundation partners with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, which conducts a comprehensive evaluation of potential participants. “Re-entry begins on day one,” says Norfolk County Sheriff, Patrick McDermott. Sheriff McDermott believes that investing in the successful re-entry of returning citizens is critical to the health of our communities and to the core of corrections systems in the 21S t century. “The Snapchef Foundation program is not just a certificate. It trains these individuals for a career,” Sheriff McDermott shares. The Sheriff’s office works to identify where jobs are and provide training for those roles.

Individuals who meet the requirements and who will be released during the program’s time frame begin training with instructors on topics like cooking methods, food safety and sanitation, and plating. After their release, participants meet with a career coach to set goals, build strong resumes, and practice interviewing. Each Snapchef Foundation team member builds relationships with program participants and adapts their teaching and support to the participants’ unique needs.

During his time in the program, David worked with Rebecca, a culinary instructor with nearly 30 years of experience in food services operations and 15 years of experience working with Department of Youth Services and Department of Corrections facilities, and Matilda, a social worker and soon-to-be clinical counselor with a passion for serving justice-involved individuals.

Rebecca and Matilda oversaw David’s cohort, a cohesive group that – according to Rebecca, worked “extraordinarily well” together, motivated each other, and held each other accountable, according to the two instructors. Through online and onsite classes, the group learned how to navigate the kitchen, and “how to depend on each other,” David shares. David – described by Rebecca and Matilda as attentive, patient, and adaptable – spent time helping others find their motivation to keep showing up and give their all. He was aware of his skill set and always reached out for help when he needed it. He went above and beyond for himself and his fellow classmates, who all wanted to see each other succeed. At the end of the eight weeks, each member of the cohort passed their ServSafe exam and gained their certifications.

"This program gave a lot of us a chance. People who never left their cells were motivated to go to class. The instructors were helpful and supportive."

-David, program participant

The participants of this program “receive training that makes them job ready on day one,” shares Snapchef Foundation instructor Rebecca. It’s crucial to provide adequate support to returning citizens to break barriers to re-entry and interrupt cycles that lead to recidivism. The Snapchef Foundation program provides stipends to participants when they complete the program to facilitate re-acclimation and address needs like transportation to and from the workplace. “Re-Entry is very difficult. The people who have served time will be released into my community, your community, everyone’s community. Communities need to give back. It’s a hand up, not a handout,” says Rebecca. The participants in the Snapchef Foundation program are eager to work hard and give back, and the Snapchef Foundation team encourages employers to take a chance on them.

In addition to the first stipend, Snapchef Foundation also provides a stipend after graduates complete 30 days of employment, as well as new uniforms. The Snapchef team remains in contact with graduates as they are applying for jobs and starting new roles. They work to ensure each graduate shows up to their shifts and performs well, taking on some of the risk employers experience when hiring new employees. “Take a chance,” Rebecca says, “the rewards far outweigh the risks.” Participants like David are deeply dedicated to changing their lives and giving back to their communities, and they are expertly trained in their profession. “When employers hire Snapchef  graduates, they will “see how powerful the program can be,” shares Matilda.

Programs like this, where participants learn how to relate to others and set attainable goals, spark hope in the participants. “That’s what makes this program valuable,” Sheriff McDermott shares. 

As David puts himself out there in search of a new job, Rebecca and Matilda are certain that he will be an excellent addition to any team, as he was during the program. From his teamwork and communication skills to his passion for cooking, David is a “true testament to our program,” Matilda says, as are the rest of the 18 individuals in his cohort. David is excited to get started in a role where he can continue to learn and take that knowledge home to cook for his own family. He only has one request – “keep the program,” so that others can have the same opportunity.