Adult Student Stories
Cedric’s Story
Cedric first heard about FareStart when he was invited to a friend’s FareStart graduation, held during a weekly Guest Chef Night dinner. At that time, Cedric was living on a friend’s couch, trying to figure out how he was going to get his life back together after spending a short time in jail. After hearing about the FareStart program that night, Cedric thought it could be a good fit for him as well. So he signed up the following week.
During his time in the program, Cedric was also working at a local restaurant as a dishwasher. He says, “When the restaurant management found out I was enrolled at FareStart, they began to give me additional responsibilities. It was clear that they’d heard of FareStart and respected the program.”
Cedric’s favorite part of the program was the weekly Thursday night Guest Chef Night, when he and the other students were able to work side-by-side with a top chef to prepare a gourmet three-course meal. “It was so fun – every Thursday was so fun. And it was amazing – there was incredible camaraderie with the other students and the chefs.”
After graduating in July of 2005, Cedric went to work at a local bakery. Though Cedric has switched jobs since then, now working for a machinery company, he says that he is grateful for FareStart every day. “FareStart allowed me to get that first job. With that job, I could afford housing and I could save enough money to purchase my tools for the job I have now. And even though I’m not cooking, I’m using the life skills that FareStart taught me, skills like how to interview and how to interact with your coworkers.”
Congratulations, Cedric, for all of your hard work. The FareStart community is very proud of you.
Rosie’s Story
Rosie heard about FareStart while she was in a drug and alcohol treatment program. “The FareStart flier was posted on the wall and it caught my eye,” she remembers. Rosie had been employed in the food service business before, but hadn’t been able to keep a steady job for the previous 10 years due to addictions. As she neared the end of her treatment program, Rosie knew she wanted to find a steady job and be self-sufficient, but didn’t know where to begin. “I didn’t have a resume, I didn’t have references, and I hadn’t kept a steady job in a long time. I didn’t really know what to do.” FareStart seemed like a good option.
Rosie began the FareStart’s Front of the House training program and took to it immediately. “Serving, to me, made me feel like I was gaining people’s confidence back.” She also saw the structure and schedule of FareStart as critically important. “[The program] was a really good transition in terms of support,” she said. “This is a family of people trying to get their lives back together and the support from the staff and from the other students was incredible.”
Not only did Rosie feel supported by the FareStart staff and fellow students, but being part of the FareStart program allowed Rosie’s family the opportunity to support her as well. “They weren’t sure how successful treatment was going to be, as I’d been down that road before. But when they came and saw me at FareStart, I could tell they were so proud. They knew I was doing something really good.”
Employed at a local catering company since she graduated from FareStart, Rosie is thriving. “Everything seems to have fallen into place for me. I have good references, I have a resume, I have a job I love, and stable housing. I don’t think I’d have any of that without FareStart.”