FareStart Graduate Cory: on top of the world

Cory applied to FareStart’s Adult Culinary Program while still incarcerated at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Once training in our kitchens, he had to work through setbacks and challenges but was always willing to learn. He got a job halfway through the 16-week program, and worked part-time while completing his training. He successfully graduated and has been consistently working ever since – first at Buca Di Beppo, and currently at Flatstick Pub in South Lake Union as a Line Cook. He has even been promoted!

“I never thought I would be doing this well a year and a half out of prison,” Cory told his Employment Specialist recently. He is in stable housing and is planning to move to Tacoma this year to live with his father. He also bought a car! He says he was used to having nothing, but now feels “like I’m on top of the world.” He talked about how good it was to feel financially secure and to have all his bills paid. Cory did acknowledge some little bumps along the way since he graduated from FareStart, but with the tools gained from his training he has been able to maintain employment and start his life again.