Gather, the anti-hunger nonprofit, is recruiting participants for its new “Fresh Start” Culinary Workforce Training Program scheduled to launch in February. The free, 12-week program will help community members who face hurdles finding a job gain the skills necessary for a career in the restaurant industry. There is no cost for the program thanks to the support of donors.
Gather is looking to assist people who face barriers to sustainable employment, such as housing instability, substance use disorder, mental health considerations, or involvement in the justice or foster care systems. Up to twelve students at a time will learn, practice, and apply fundamental cooking techniques for eight weeks at Gather’s new culinary classroom at its Community Food Center. They will then complete a four-week internship in the local food service industry to hone new skills, with the ultimate goal of securing full-time employment and helping ease labor shortages.
Applicants must be 18 years or older and live in New Hampshire or Maine. There are no educational requirements or prior restaurant experience needed to apply. Applications are currently being accepted at https://www.gathernh.org/
Gather plans to hold four “Fresh Start” program cohorts a year. Anyone interested is invited to attend the next information session on Wednesday, January 7th at 5:00 pm at 124 Heritage Avenue in Portsmouth.
Tania Marino, Gather’s Director of Programs and Strategy, says the “Fresh Start” program is a natural fit with Gather’s mission, which includes offering innovative programs that build food security across the Greater Seacoast region; “We are excited to introduce a program that provides a pathway for those we serve to re-build their lives and get work, thereby shortening the line at our door.”
Tim Barr, a long-time and well-known chef on the Seacoast, will be the instructor for the program. In addition, Life Skills Specialist Leah Roth will partner with participants to teach the life skills that are critical to job retention.
Barr, former Chef at Ore Nell’s Barbeque, says he’s looking forward to taking on this new challenge leading Gather’s culinary instruction. Says Barr, “My personal life experiences help me relate to people who may be a good fit for this program. If it were not for certain opportunities that I had in my life, I would not be where I am today. In addition, having worked for a long time in the Seacoast restaurant industry, I also know how hard it can be to find staff. I am looking forward to teaching and connecting people to meaningful work while helping our restaurant industry.”
Gather is a member of the national Catalyst Kitchens network, which provides resources and connections to nonprofits across the country involved in workforce development. Gather’s Tania Marino explains, “We have been working with Catalyst Kitchens and its members for close to two years now in preparation for our “Fresh Start” program launch, and they have provided invaluable input and ongoing support. Following their best-practice model makes us confident that we’re offering a tried and true program that will provide our students with the highest chance of success. It’s clear that to make a real difference, we need wrap-around support for our students by providing them with life skills, in addition to knife skills, to ensure they enter the workforce fully equipped to manage all scenarios that they may face.”
For more information or questions contact Tania Marino at tmarino@gathernh.org
About Gather
Gather is a social-service nonprofit organization based in Portsmouth that combats hunger on the Greater Seacoast by building food security with dignity. Gather serves more than 10,000 families each month and distributes over 1.7 million pounds of food each year through a range of programs, including mobile food markets and the recently opened Community Food Center, which features a free grocery market, commercial and teaching kitchens, and community meeting space. Gather is also known for working with volunteers to prepare and distribute nutritious meals. Innovative programs include Seacoast Waste Not, a surplus food-rescue initiative that partners with restaurants and food manufacturers to divert high-quality food from landfills. Gather is the oldest social service agency in the country, feeding those in need since 1816.
Learn more at www.gathernh.org.
pictured at top: Gather Associate Director of Culinary Shelley Holroyd, Director of Strategy and Programs Tania Marino, Chef Instructor Tim Barr in the new teaching kitchen at Gather’s Community Food Center in Portsmouth, NH. photo by Jaron Jenkins
