On May 30, Fresh Start Culinary Arts program begins its sixth term providing a 12-week, 40-hour-a-week intensive culinary training program for Gorge area residents.
“We have proven that we can make a difference in the lives of our students through the five cohorts we’ve successfully trained and assisted with job placement,” said Program Administrator Chef Rainbow Trosper.
Fresh Start recently celebrated its first anniversary and has graduated four classes of students, with a fifth class set to graduate on June 10.
“Yes, we know the Gorge is experiencing under 4 percent unemployment. But many people are still working jobs barely above minimum wage, and don’t have the skills to move beyond that. Our program is for anyone, young or old, who feels stuck in a job without a future,” said Board Chair Kathy Watson.
Greg Johnson, Skamania Lodge, said, “It’s a great program with amazing people who gave me the skills I needed to advance my career.”
Chef Trainer Matt Patterson says comments like this from former students are what make his job rewarding.
“Greg is a great example of what Fresh Start does to change the course of someone’s life. Greg was a dishwasher at Full Sail when he came to us. When he graduated, Full Sail moved him to an entry level line cook position, and since then, he’s moved to a sauté line cook position at Skamania Lodge. Each move was a salary increase, and now he has benefits too. Greg grew up in the Gorge, but just didn’t know what he wanted to do in life. We are so proud of him! We introduced him to new skills, and he put them to work.”
Applications are available at freshstartculinaryarts.org, or by calling Fresh Start at 541-399-6929. All applicants receive an interview. The next program begins May 30 and completes on Aug. 12. Students attend Tuesday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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