Job training and feeding the homeless: 15 more youths graduate this week from Food Gatherers program
Olivia Fisher is learning more than a job skill. The 17 year old is learning how to prepare and serve food and how to deal with an occasionally cranky customer. And she’s getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Ann Arbor food industry while helping feed the community’s hungry.
As an added bonus, she gets to sample some good grub.
Fisher is one of 15 people who will graduate Aug. 19 from the Community Kitchen Job Training program run by Food Gatherers, held inside the Robert J. Delonis Center, a shelter for the homeless. The kitchen provides 20 free hot meals a week to anyone in need.
Gerardo Longoria, 18, of Ann Arbor, works with Scott Roubeck, the special projects coordinator for Food Gatherers who runs the kitchen and the training program.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
Students, who range in age from 17 to 23, learn food safety and practical skills from some of the leaders in the local food service industry during the six-week program. Alex Young, executive chef at Zingerman’s Roadhouse and winner of a James Beard Award, for example, taught the art of sharpening knives.
And students learn life skills, said Mary Schlitt director of development for Food Gatherers.
“They learn about being prompt and workplace etiquette,” she said.
They also learn leadership skills, helping supervise the 300 to 600 volunteers who each month help prepare and serve meals and clean up.
Close to 90 percent of the graduates either find jobs or further their education, she said.
More than 180 young people have graduated from the program since it was started in 2005, going on to work in restaurant kitchens and as waitstaff, said Scott Roubeck, special projects coordinator for Food Gatherers, who oversees the training program. The program also prepares students to take the test for ServSafe Certification, which can give them a leg up in the job market.
“It makes our students more marketable than an individual who just turns in an application,” Roubeck said.
Students are exposed to food magazines and trade newspapers, hear from guest chefs and take foodie field trips to places such as Zingerman’s Deli and Mark’s Carts. They recently visited the Tea Haus in Ann Arbor to learn about the history of tea.
“Many of the students have grand plans where they want to open up a restaurant that serves 5,000 people and has everything on the menu,” Roubeck said. “A place like the Tea Haus is nice because it shows a simple, pared down idea. It’s a great business model.”
Josiah Strode, 21, of Ann Arbor, prepares chicken nuggets.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
Some of the students in the job training program have been homeless themselves or have been at risk of being homeless, Schlitt said. All have been referred to the program by a social service agency.
Schlitt said he hopes his students leave the program committed to helping others.
“They gain an appreciation for who they’re serving,” Roubeck said. “They get to see the gratitude in our client’s eyes. They get to experience giving back to the community and to become leaders in giving back. On one level we develop employees, but on another level we develop leaders.”
Olivia Fisher initially was interested in the job training program to learn a skill that might land her a job. “But it turned out to be a lot more than that,” she said. She’s learned about kitchen safety, how to cook a few dishes (pineapple upside down cake was her final project) and customer service.
“Working with this client base prepares you to work for any client base,” said Fisher, who has worked at the head of the meal line. “After not eating for a few days, some clients can be a little grumpy. But you learn to deal with that.”
Food Gatherers offers the six-week program twice a year, once in the spring and again in the summer. It is funded primarily with private donations and fundraising, with some funds coming from community development, Schlitt said.
The graduation ceremony Friday will include U.S. Rep. John Dingell and other guests.
Janet Miller is a freelance reporter who covers business and other topics for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Lisa@TeaHaus
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 5:29 a.m.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to speak with these kids at my store. This program -to me- is more than a "job training" course. This program also gives kids an inside perspective on owning/operating a business. I was asked some of the most detailed questions about what they should include in their own business plans, how to find the best employees, how to choose a location, how did I get my start... It wasn't just "here is how to make cake". These kids have pretty high but I they graduate knowing that you have to start somewhere and with hard work, maybe they too can put their business plans into action. I am already excited about meeting the next class!
Len J Sunday
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
One of the first facts taught in the ServSafe Certification program is the food handlers MUST wear something on their head. Hair has quite a bit of bacteria. Neither of the students in the pictures provided appeared to have a head covering.
Missy O
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
Hi! I love that you're on top of this - a man after our food safety hearts! As a Food Gatherer, I assure you that our students, staff and volunteers are always following required food safety regulations - we understand the extreme importance of food safety in our work, and strive to teach and model great behavior. The students are indeed wearing hairnets, and in the instructional setting shown, our instructor is not required to wear gloves because he is not handling food. Thanks for your comment!
jmcmurray
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
....but the old man not wearing gloves.... I assume he's not actually touching the food, but merely instructing the young gentleman.
jmcmurray
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Look closer.... you see the elastic part of a black hair-net across their foreheads.
John B.
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
"Do you need training to know to show up for a job on time? Do you need training to know how to talk to someone? Do you need training to do what someone tells you? I thought these were values that one has instilled in them.... not trained for." Unfortunately, many young people do in fact need precisely this type of training/mentoring.
jmcmurray
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
This is not career training. Working in a kitchen is no career. I work in a corporate kitchen where pay is just a little more than most in the AA area, and it is still no way to make a living. You don't need training to work in a kitchen. Most of the time you start in dish. If you can manage to not screw up washing dishes (which doesn't always happen), you get to dress the food and put the sauces/condiments on the plates. If you can remember that tartar sauce goes with fish, ketchup goes with fries, and crab crackers go with crab, you might get put on the fryers. At the fry station, a screen beeps and tells you what to cook. All the while, you are making about $9/hr and responsible for buying your own WHITE button-up shirts, black work pants, and non-slip footwear. Do you need training to know to show up for a job on time? Do you need training to know how to talk to someone? Do you need training to do what someone tells you? I thought these were values that one has instilled in them.... not trained for. Don't get me wrong... what Food Gatherers is doing is great for the needy, but let's not act like you are training people to "make it" in the world. Sincerely, disgruntled kitchen worker
Fordie
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:57 p.m.
Nope, I don't work with Food Gatherers, though I am deeply involved with some other area nonprofits. I'm glad that you're willing to re-examine your thoughts on the program, and it takes a lot of courage to say so publically. I'm sure you could find information on volunteer opportunities with Food Gatherers at their website. Best of luck to you as you further your education.
jmcmurray
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
I, like many of the graduates from the Community Kitchen Job Training program, am furthering my education. Food industry shifts are usually flexible enough to allow for a school schedule Upon reflection of this article and the comment thread, I am wondering when I became such a cynical person. I wish I could delete my previous comments. With all the mess everybody is in right now, I am ashamed that I took time out of my day to make negative comments about an organization that is actually doing something to better the lives of individuals. I promise to save my frustrated comments for topics worthy of my frustration. I am sorry for disheartening you, Fordie. Do you work for this program? I'd volunteer for a shift to make it up to you... I have experience.
sigdiamond
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
"This is not at all surprising because anyone can get a job in this industry, and those who are smart enough to realize that this line of work will not sustain a family will certainly consider going back to school in hopes of getting a real career." So what's your excuse?
jmcmurray
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
I am not at all upset with Food Gatherers. My only point is you don't need training to work in this industry. We hire parolees, registered sex-offenders, addicts, illiterates, drug dealers; all of these people CURRENTLY work with me. Previous experience meant I got to skip the dish tank. Maybe it's better than them doing drugs, or running the streets, etc... but let's not pretend it's something it isn't. "90% find jobs or further education." This is not at all surprising because anyone can get a job in this industry, and those who are smart enough to realize that this line of work will not sustain a family will certainly consider going back to school in hopes of getting a real career. I don't know what to say for the remaining 10%.... In conclusion, good job, Food Gatherers, for your charitable work... You honestly are an asset to the community for providing food to the needy. I don't mean to undermine that part of your success.
Fordie
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
Reading your comment was very disheartening. Food Gatherers is an incredible organization that makes a difference in people's lives everyday. This program provides young people that would ordinarily have difficulty finding job with training that makes them attractive to employers. It gives them a chance to improve their lives and prove their abilities. I respect your opinion that working in a kitchen is no career. Indeed it's certainly a difficult line of work to get ahead in. But before you're critical of those who are trying to make a difference in people's lives, I challenge you to try too. Until you can come up with something better, Community Kitchen Job Training may be the best opportunity for these young people.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
This is a very worthwhile program. Thanks to Food Gatherers, but isn't this why we are suppose to have a federally funded job training program in the county to provide and support this type of training for this population group?
Carole
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
Congratulations to the young folks graduating from this marvelous course. We definitely need more articles like this and more folks who are aiding and assisting helping young people trades to better themselves and to be self-sufficient. Again, congratulation and best wishes to all.