Culinary Students Graduate CCF Culinary Program

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015, Connecting for Children and Families hosted a graduation ceremony for adults who completed their 12-week culinary arts workforce training program.

As a result of an Innovative Partnership grant award from the Governor’s Workforce Board, CCF in partnership with the RI Hospitality Education Foundation established the Culinary Arts Collaborative of Northern Rhode Island. This collaborative brought together training providers, community-based organizations, and employers seeking to develop an innovative training that prepared adults with the necessary job readiness and technical skills to secure employment and fill the skills gap needs expressed by employers in the industry.

Participants engaged in classroom instruction where they learned work- readiness skills, culinary instruction, and unpaid or paid internships with our employer partners to gain experience working in the food services industry. Students will continue to receive job placement assistance, career counseling, job coaching, and case management assistance.

Partners in our Culinary Arts Collaborative throughout this project included: Angelo’s Palace Pizza, Because He Lives Meal Site, Chelo’s Banquets and Catering, Community Care Alliance, SNAP Chef, CT Deli and Convenience, Easy Entertaining Inc., Howard’s Clam Shack, Newport Harbor Corporation, Providence Marriott, Tavern 743, The Burrito Company, Woonsocket Head Start, and the Woonsocket Education Department for usage of the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center kitchen facility.

Twelve adults were recognized for their accomplishments at this event. Participants received several key credentials as part of this initiative: ServSafe® Managers and ServSafe® Alcohol Certification, a National Career Readiness Certification by ACT, First Impressions: Exceptional Customer Service CertificationÔ, Lasting Impressions: The Core of Communication CertificationÔ, and Hospitality: The Third Language Certification. The graduates were: Beatrice Barclay, Danielle Bernard-Maybin, David Delgado, William Fuentes, Kirashlee Guerra-Reyes, Laura Leone, Yasmin Machuda, David Monteiro, Tobiah Pinheiro, Aaron Rook, Christine Squizzero, and Katie Storella.

According to CCF Executive Director Terese Curtin, “CCF continues to provide workforce training opportunities as a critically important step in assisting adults to acquire skills, confidence, and financial stability during these challenging economic times.”

Heather Singleton, Chief Operating Officer, at the RI Hospitality Education Foundation said “The RI Hospitality Education Foundation is extremely pleased to celebrate the achievements of these students. Each of them fulfilled their commitments and are on a great path for career advancement. We are proud to welcome these graduates into our hospitality family.”

Connecting for Children and Families is a community-based, non-profit organization located in Woonsocket, one of Rhode Island’s core urban cities. Our mission- to transform the lives of Woonsocket children through high quality educational opportunities and family support- is accomplished through strong community partnerships and advocacy.

* Photo (from left to right): Chef Jamie Finkelstein, Beatrice Barclay, Heidi Collins (CCF Director of the Center for Financial Success), Christine Squizzero, David Delgado, William Fuentes, Aaron Rook, Danielle Bernard-Maybin, Kirashlee Guerra-Reyes, Yasmin Machuca, Laura Leone, Tobiah Pinheiro, David Monteiro, and Kristie Costa (RI Hospitality Education Foundation)