Robert is a recent Teaching Kitchen graduate who was referred to the job training program by an ATR recovery center counselor. He is in his mid-50s and has been incarcerated for 17 of the last 20 years.

“I was a bad drug addict. I know what it’s like to live in the Common in a blanket because I’ve been there. And I know what it’s like to be in prison. It was a bad place and I decided to change my life 4 or 5 years ago and I have,” said Robert.

Robert had the opportunity to share his story with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh when he visited Community Servings in November. Mayor Walsh toured the kitchen, met with volunteers, and worked alongside Teaching Kitchen trainees.

The Teaching Kitchen job training program trains 48 un/underemployed individuals each year for careers in the food service industry. As Teaching Kitchen trainees learn food service skills, they are also helping our kitchen staff prepare the meals we deliver to our sick clients each day.

Since Robert has participated in the Teaching Kitchen program, he’s been able to get a place of his own in Quincy and spend the holidays reconnecting with family members – something he hasn’t been able to do in many years.