Culinary Arts Training Program Graduation: March 2015

On March 5th, 21 individuals graduated career-ready from our Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP). The program provides marketable culinary skills to men and women who are formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated, and veterans.

The graduates received 6 months of hands-on training in the classroom and at their internship sites. The ultimate goal is to help them land a job in the food service industry. In fact, some of the graduates already have jobs lined up!

One graduate is grateful for her experience. - “I gained a lot of experience and learned how to make different things. The teachers are strict, but you learn a lot,” said Georgette Valis, who found out about CATP through a friend.

Here are some facts about our CATP:

• We have been running the program for 20 years and recently expanded to provide a separate track for veterans

• We train approximately 150 individuals each year

• We place graduates in jobs at twice the rate of similar programs

Graduate Georgette Valis.

Salutatorian Rebecca Seraphin, who was recently hired at her internship site, speaks at the graduation ceremony.

Project Renewal President and CEO Mitchell Netburn hands certificates to graduates.

Current CATP students prepared and served a Southern-style buffet and desserts.

Read more about the CATP program at www.projectrenewal.org/catp.