“There are times in life when your inner self is really battling and trying to get through, out into the world, and you may not know how,” Angeline said. “But when opportunity strikes and you see that you have the potential of making a difference in the world, … don’t hesitate on taking it. That’s just life putting you where you need to be.”
After spending three years at home with her son and enrolling him in a local Head Start program, Angeline was ready to enter the workforce but didn’t have much experience or skills.
Her Head Start social worker’s career counseling led to the discovery of Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program. This 16-week continuing education program provides adults like Angeline, who face barriers to employment, with a comprehensive set of skills. From culinary techniques to life skills, the program equips students with the tools they need to succeed in the food service industry.
“I found a passion that I never knew I had,” she said. “Going into culinary training was just something I went into to see if it worked out. While I was in it, I discovered a passion of mine – baking, cooking, and being reminded that through food, you can do so much for people. You can serve people in so many ways.”
Aside from the hands-on experience in the kitchen Angeline said the life-skills portion of the curriculum was most valuable. She learned about stress management, life hardships, financial literacy, budgeting, planning for the future and more.
“It stuck out because it was so comprehensive,” she said, emphasizing the value of learning technical and life skills.
At graduation, Angeline shared that before entering the program, she struggled with isolation, postpartum depression, and feeling stuck during her years as a stay-at-home parent. Still, she knew she wanted more in life.
“I wanted to have my coffee shop. I wanted to be that person who is a business owner. I wanted to be that person who was an entrepreneur, who has their chain of restaurants and all these things, but at the time, I was a mom,” she said. “Even though I had my business plan, even though I had everything set on paper, I wasn’t able to do it because I just didn’t have the resources.”
Even after training, Angeline didn’t immediately land her dream job. The workplace she expected to land after graduation didn’t work out, but she remembered her life skills lessons and persevered.
“There’s a lot you have to take into consideration — your stress management, your emotional management, all of those things because the wait hurts,” she said, stressing the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles. “Sometimes you think you want something, and you don’t get it. It’s hard.”
But, she said, life has a way of working itself out. Angeline secured an internship at a local hotel and resort and later received a promotion to pastry cook.
“Even though I didn’t get the job that I thought I wanted, I ended up in a better place,” Angeline said.
For the first time in her life, Angeline has financial stability, which has been transformative for her family.
“I can pay my bills on time,” she said. “I can take my son out whenever I want to. It’s been life changing.”
