Positive Transitioning - January 2021

Food Issue

Image courtesy of EDWINS Restaurant and Leadership Institute

Highlighting food programs that are impacting the community in more ways than one.

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In This Issue The Food Issue January 2021

Letter from the Executive Director

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Word of the month

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Ohio State Resources

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Food and Community Food Programs Connecting to the Community Kitchens for Good ReFire EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute

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Letter from the Executive Director Re-entry, incarceration, recidivism are all very serious issues. However, even when building a life, we manage to have a laugh, love someone, and enjoy some moments.

So often, those happy moments are centered around food. In this issue, we decided to inject a little happiness into the serious business of having a job.

We’re highlighting programs around the country that provide second chances through culinary experience.

They don’t just provide skills and jobs, these organization have an impact on the community by feeding others.

Oh, and we have survived 2020.

Happy New Year!

We hope you enjoy this issue Sincerely, Porche Proffit

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Masthead and Contributors Editor-in-Chief, Porche Proffit Editor, Ericka Foster

Contributors Contributing Editor, Lakia Goodman Writer, Maggie Allen Writer, Natalie Rodriguez-Steen Cover image credit: EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute Positive Transitioning Inc. is a non–profit organization that provides information and resources for individuals reentering the community after incarceration.

In addition to this magazine, Positive Transitioning Inc. offers a 24-hour Resource/Listening Line that services all 50 states. The Resource/Listening line is staffed by life coaches, and provides individuals with the immediate support and resources they may be needed during reentry.

Positive Transitioning Inc. also provides individuals life coaches that will assist them in every step of the reentry process: housing, education, employment, vocational training, obtaining government benefits, veteran assistance, medical management, sponsorship, financial stability, family reintegration, and legal assisting.

Currently Positive Transitioning Inc. is entirely web–based as we are hoping that this makes it easily accessible for anyone to access from anywhere.

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nour¡ish¡ment

food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

Food brings people together on many different levels. It's nourishment of the soul and body; it's truly love.~ Giada De Laurentiis

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Ohio State Services  “InsideOUT”: Stonewall Columbus LGBTQ Inmate & Formerly Incarcerated Support Program stonewallcolumbus.org/programs/ insideout/ This program has support groups for those who are incarcerated as well as those who are formerly incarcerated. Stonewall Columbus is also a 3rd Party Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA Reporting Center).  Metropolitan Community Services (MCS) Teaching Opportunity Unity by Connecting Hearts (T.O.U.C.H.) fpc.ewm.mybluehost.me/mcstouch/ Founded in 1984, Metropolitan Community Services (MCS) serves formerly incarcerated individuals. In 2008, Teaching Opportunity Unity by Connecting Hearts (T.O.U.C.H.) focuses on building a peer-to-peer mentoring culture and workforce development programming. MCS-T.O.U.C.H. serves incarcerated men and women who are soon-to-be-released, formerly incarcerated men and women, and other at-risk populations 18 years of age and older.  North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center northstarreentry.org North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center is for Cuyahoga County residents who were formerly incarcerated in prison (and their family and friends) Cuyahoga County residents who are currently or were previously involved in the criminal justice system (and their family and friends). The organization offers a variety of services, including GED classes, anger management classes, faith-based programming, vouchers for state IDs and birth certificates, job classes and computer training labs.

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 “InsideOUT”: Ohio Justice & Policy Center www.ohiojpc.org Program Ohio Justice & Policy Center is a nonprofit law firm that offers free legal services, programs, and resources for local communities that lack essential support as they navigate the criminal legal system.  Opportunities For New Direction http://ond.oicofclarkco.org/ Opportunities For New Direction (OND), a division of OIC of Clark County, provides family re-entry services to ex-offenders returning to the Springfield / Clark County community as well as individuals with criminal backgrounds who have never been to prison. The organization offers job readiness training, peer mentoring, job placement, and computer skills training. relink.org relink.org is a free, user-friendly, online addiction recovery, human trafficking, and incarceration reentry resource tool that considers the entire continuum of care -from detox, to community supports, to employment opportunities.  The Ridge Project theridgeproject.com/ TYRO a program offered at The Ridge Project. It is a holistic, multi-faceted character-building program, designed to strengthen individuals and families.

TYRO's programs are designed to restore families, reduce recidivism for incarcerated individuals, and equip men and women with job-readiness skills. Welcome Home SIS www.welcomehomesis.org Located in Guernsey County, OH, Welcome Home sis is a non-profit Christianbased safety net that supports women as they adjust to life post-incarceration.

The program is designed to meet the unique requirements of women, focusing on family reunification, trauma-informed care, and treatment for issues with substances.

National Resources  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) aclu.org/issues/prisoners-rights Prisoners’ rights to read, write, speak, practice their religion, and communicate with the outside world are often curtailed far beyond what is necessary for institutional security. Not only are these activities central to the ability of prisoners to retain their humanity, but

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they also contribute to the flow of information between prisons and the outside world and thus provide a vital form of oversight of these closed institutions.  CareerOneStop careeronestop.org/Site/american-job-center.aspx Located across the country, American Job Centers can help you look for work and offer job search workshops, free computer access, and more.  National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org/ The purpose of NAMI Alabama is to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and others whose lives are affected mental health disorders.  National HIRE Network hirenetwork.org The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion.  National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) nrrc.csgjusticecenter.org Funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) is the nation’s primary source of information and guidance in reentry.  U.S. Veterans Administration va.gov/ABOUT_VA/index.asp Most veterans who are in jail or prison will eventually reenter the community. VA’s HCRV program is designed to promote success and prevent homelessness among Veterans returning home after incarceration.

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Food and Community

Taking a look at culinary programs that impact the community while providing a second chance.

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Food Programs Connecting to the Community

by Maggie Allen Poverty, hunger, and homelessness; three issues that are inextricably linked to one another. Extreme hunger has been linked to everything from poor sleep to inability to focus, and even to issues with learning and cognitive function. According to Feeding America, “Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development in young children; risk of chronic illnesses like asthma and anemia; and behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression in school-age children.”

Growing up with this kind of environment can cause lasting damage. While some children are fed by school programs, at best those are but one to two meals a day. As for adults, the poorest areas are often subject to a phenomenon called ‘food deserts,’ in which close, convenient access to healthy foods are limited or non-existent. Gas stations and fast food restaurants fill the gap, preying upon people’s exhaustion and their need for quick, prepared options. But despite dollar menus and coupons, many of these foods end up being more expensive in the long run.

And on top of all that, society-at-large often shames people for poor health, sometimes without even considering individual situations that make these aspects of life inevitable.

The shame, the stress, the exhaustion of constantly working to feed and house oneself and one’s family, sometimes never more than an emergency bill away from crippling debt or starvation, is enough to beat anyone down.

Food insecurity not only impacts families, but entire communities. Hunger goes hand in hand with health and wellbeing; where one is lacking, the other is sure to be as well. And while there are many factors at play, one of the worst is the lack of financial investment and support in the areas that need it most. Businesses and good, stable jobs go elsewhere and with no help from the government and social services, the people left behind can neither enrich nor escape their situations. Those who are most desperate will struggle, starve, or survive by any means necessary.

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We’ve highlighted a couple of organizations that seek to break these vicious cycles, both by providing good food and good career opportunities. We can see that there is so much more good we can do by investing in the training and care of our communities.

FareStart For about 30 years, FareStart’s restaurants, cafes, catering and programs have provided meals to social services, shelters, and schools in the Seattle area. They prepare and deliver more than 2,500 hot meals every day around the Puget Sound area. In addition, participants in their work programs gain practical work experience while helping to bolster their own neighborhoods, as well as break down their own personal barriers to secure employment and financial stability.

FareStart advertises four main job training programs on their site, now with a pandemicfriendly virtual option. It is worth noting that the Adult and Young Adult Barista Program is for those between ages 16-24 with insecure housing.

The Adult Culinary program offers 8-weeks of virtual training, as well “technology needed to participate in the program.” FareStart supports participants by providing: resume and computer skills; interview coaching; job search assistance; financial planning; and six months of support services after a job has been secured. The program is free with a $100 a week stipend, and as long as the participant stays clean and sober, FareStart will also assist them with finding housing, transportation, and dependency and mental health counseling.

The Foodservice Apprenticeship is currently on hold due to Covid-19, but typically offers hands-on experience in actual restaurants with 10-24 weeks of paid, on-the-job training.

The program requirements are a little more strict, as participants need to have stable housing and at least 6 months of food service experience. Everyone is assigned a one-onone career specialist, who offers support career coaching; job search assistance; and resume and interview skills, among others.

In 2011, FareStart launched an ambitious new initiative, Catalyst Kitchens, in order to share their unique business model with nonprofit organizations all across the country.

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DC Central Kitchen

Photo Courtesy of DC Central Kitchen

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is a nonprofit founded by Robert Egger, a former hunger and homelessnessfocused volunteer. He wanted to “turn the soup kitchen model on its head” by “involved picking up wasted food (which people said was unwise), turning it into balanced meals for shelters and nonprofits (which people said was unsustainable), and using that process to train jobless adults in the culinary arts (which people said was impossible). Now, his organization serves the DC community by providing farm fresh meals to schools; delivering fresh and affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without easily accessible supermarkets; and operating a fast-casual cafe.

DCCK also offers hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment, and creates living-wage jobs. “We welcome students who face barriers to employment, including histories of incarceration, substance abuse, trauma, homelessness, or long-term joblessness.”

DCCK’s Culinary Job Training program is certified by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and recognized by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation for quality programming and industry-recognized credentials. There are two culinary job training offerings: one at their headquarters, which is focused on adults, culinary credentials, and internships, Photo courtesy of DC Central Kitchen and another at their own cafe, with a focus on hands-on, staff-guided training for those aged 18-24 and not attending other work or school. Internship opportunities are available with top restaurants, large hotel chains, hospitals, and universities, among others, and DCCK provides other post-graduation support, such as housing and childcare referrals, for up to one year.

And even in the wake of the pandemic, DCCK has not broken stride. They are still serving nutritious meals to children at nine DC schools, ensuring that free school meals are still accessible even with distance learning. DCCK is also delivering tens of thousands of healthy meals weekly to shelters, senior citizens, and front-line nonprofits; distributing 5,000 bags of fresh, local produce at schools and partner nonprofits; providing deeply

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discounted fresh produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without grocery stores; and supporting grassroots mutual aid networks of neighbors helping neighbors by supplying free meals, bagged produce, and infant formula.

Kitchens for Good by Nat Rodriguez-Steen Kitchens for Good (KFG) was found in 2014 out of the belief that food has power and can have a transformative effect on communities in various ways. KFG also strongly believes in the power of people and that all people have potential. The organization started to combat food waste in order to provide for those in need but expanded to help those who struggle from hunger and food insecurity through economic self-sufficiency. KFG created a culinary apprenticeship program to provide training to individuals who have overcome histories of incarceration, homelessness, foster care, mental health issues, or domestic violence. The program, called Project Launch, is tuition free and lasts for 20 months in order to annually Photo courtesy of Kitchens for Good Instagram page prepare 150 individuals for the workforce.

Culinary, baking, and food service management are possible tracts that an individual can pursue during the course of the program. KFG has an 85% employment rate for culinary graduates with an average starting wage of $13.25 per hour.

In conjunction with Project Launch, KFG has three other projects that tackle food waste and build culinary skills for their apprentices. Through Project Reclaim, local famers and wholesalers provide cosmetically imperfect and surplus fruits and vegetables to the KFG. Culinary students use this opportunity to practice their culinary skills while reducing food waste. Additionally, Project Nourish helps to reduce food waste, provide nutritious meals, and fight hunger by providing meals to children, seniors, and the unsheltered.

KFG’s Project Kitchen helps to provide funding to other programs through catering and contract meal services. The catering operation has generated $4.9 million in earned income and provided over 50% of the organization’s budget to help fund programs targeted at food waste reduction, providing nutritious meals, and training.

The organization has helped to provide economic opportunities while combating food waste and hunger in order to enrich the community and promote sustainability.

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REfire by Nat Rodriguez-Steen

REfire was created by Florida chef Rebecca Kelly-Manders in order to teach formerly incarcerated individuals the skills to combat unemployment, lower recidivism rates, and build community. The program is 8 weeks and all meals made by the trainees will be provided to those staying at the HOPE Community emergency shelter, run by the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, where the program takes place. Meals will also be provided to schools, housing facilities, and elderly meal programs. Trainees learn basic kitchen skills including sanitation, cooking, menu planning, knife skills, stock and sauce preparation, nutritional concepts and how to season, safely prepare and serve food. Chef KellyManders understands the stigma associated with those who have come into contact with the criminal justice system and struggle from addiction as she has overcome past struggles in her own life. The program is a way of paying it forward and providing others with grace when they most need support and community guidance.

Quintin Storey, a graduate of REfire, served 19 years and 7 months in prison. During that time, he rediscovered his passion for food while working in the prison kitchen. Upon reentry, Quintin completed the REfire program which helped him to turn his passion into a reality. Chef Storey is now supervisor of the Yes! Chef Cafe and also the food protection manager at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition.

Refiring in the kitchen means that when a plate comes back, you have to “refire� it or remake it. Kelly-Manders wants to do the same for people by providing them the tools and skills to thrive. As Kelly-Manders says, "we want to help these people correct their mistakes and make their lives right again and refire themselves.�

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EDWINS: Impacting The Community Through Food

by Ericka Foster Braised duck, rabbit, escargot -- fancy ingredients for fancy meals eaten by fancy people. Those are just a few things on the menu at EDWINS Restaurant that specializes in French food. What makes EDWINS stand out from other restaurants (aside from their cuisine) is that the restaurant is part of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute – an organization that gives recently released individuals the chance to get back on their feet. To just that Photo Courtesy of EDWINS say EDWINS is a restaurant fully understates its community impact. But to just call it a training program fully understates work required to run a successful food business. And that what makes EDWINS so unique.

EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute was founded in 2007. In 2011, the program entered Grafton Correctional Institution. The institute currently has programs in several prisons. In 2013, the EDWINS flagship restaurant opened in Cleveland’s Shaker Square.

In 2016, the EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills Center (which includes a gym, technology/learning facilities, and a library) opened. The butcher shop and EDWINS Bakery and Training Center opened in 2018, and 2019, respectively. Both the bakery and the butcher shop are adjacent to the life skills center. In July 2020, Brandon Chrostowski, the owner of EDWINS, purchased housing near the campus to ensure that students and their families had affordable housing as they moved through the program. And then, late last year (yes, during the pandemic), EDWINS Too opened in Shaker Square.

As you can see from the photo (taken pre-COVID), EDWINS is more than a couple folks making sandwiches behind some glass. With a bakery, butcher shop, and two fine dining restaurants, it is a restaurant business in the truest sense of the word. That business is inextricably linked to training ex-offenders to cook in the style of French fine

Photo Courtesy of EDWINS (Taken pre-COVID)

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dining. Directly out of their incarceration, men and women undergo an intense program to learn to make food that some of us have only heard As we go to press on January 31st, about or seen on TV. Program participants also Cleveland requires masks in all public spend some time at the butcher shop and the places*, restaurants and bars are open bakery, getting a 360 view of the culinary world. at 50% capacity. There is also a 10 p.m.

In the process, they gain the sense of accomplishment and confidence that comes with learning new skills, having and maintaining a job, and taking care of oneself. “I learned the value of being prepared in every aspect. It has also taught me the joy of giving back and paying it forward,” says Ivo Bidinost, recent student graduate from EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute.

curfew. COVID-19 has affected the food and restaurant industry and EDWINS has responded: Edwins offers free job-guidance program for restaurant-industry workers affected by coronavirus - cleveland.com This month, EDWINS launched virtual cooking classes for $20 each.

Ivo spent 28 years incarcerated. Upon release, he was highly motivated to put his past behind him. He recently graduated from the program, and looks forward to starting fresh with a second chance at 49 years of age. EDWINS fills the gap between what you have when you leave lock up and what you need to begin a new life as a self-supporting citizen.

“It's given me the confidence to move past the fears that everyone has when they are waiting for their release date,” Ivo explains. Additionally, the program offers employment assistance, legal services, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs and more.

The program was created by Brandon Chrostowski (pictured right), who realized the power of a second chance at 19 when a judge gave him probation, instead of a sentence. Brandon is currently the CEO of the organization, and the mission, success, and expansion of the program is in his vision. “It is increasingly important that we make re-entry a priority and carve a path to success for our returning citizens,” says Brandon Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute Founder, President and CEO. “At EDWINS, providing culinary and hospitality training, along with life skills to adults coming out of the justice system, offers the knowledge, support and opportunity for second chances.”

Photo courtesy of EDWINS

EDWINS has a 1% recidivism rate, meaning nearly all of its graduates have maintained the skills and resources they need to stay out of prison. Additionally, the success of the program is an example that a criminal past doesn’t have to be a prescription for the future. As a community, we can support those who have run into trouble, and be better for it. _____________________ Edwins Restaurant and Leadership Institute starts new classes every two months. Contact the school for updated information.

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We would like to thank our sponsors and supporters

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