Have you heard of Chef Ric and the Food Services Training Program?”
This was a question that changed the course of a young man’s life. Kenzie and a support worker from Causeway were discussing work aspirations, and Kenzie had shared that he wanted to be a cook.
Despite only being 20 at that time, Kenzie had already experienced a tremendous amount of hardship. At 19, he was working a typical warehouse job and was uncertain about his future. Things began to shift when he started using recreational marijuana more frequently. Kenzie didn’t know it, but he was predisposed to marijuana-use triggering symptoms of psychosis.
“It was a rough road. I wasn’t doing well.”
Things unraveled quickly for Kenzie. It got to the point where he was out of work, using street substances, and experiencing homelessness. His Mom was able to convince him to seek care through an Ottawa Hospital program. Slowly, Kenzie began taking significant steps towards recovery and independence.
He decided that his next step was to apply for the Food Services Training Program (FSTP). Chef Ric was impressed with the youngster’s drive and told him: “I’m going to make a chef out of you.”
Once he started the FSTP, it was like a switch had flipped. His Mom recalls him FaceTiming her after one of his first days in the program, saying: “Oh my God Mom, I love it here. I never want to leave.”
He had found something he was passionate about and his progress was remarkable.
“My life has improved, 100%. It’s completely turned around.”
Kenzie’s progress didn’t go unnoticed. During his graduation ceremony, Chef Ric proudly offered him a job with The Ottawa Mission. Today, Kenzie works specifically with our Mobile Mission Meals food truck program, cooking and serving to-go meals handed out in communities across Ottawa.
Kenzie is now in a position where he can help others, some in similar situations to where he was not all that long ago. This remarkable turnaround in his life wouldn’t have been possible without your support.
The FSTP, a 4-month job training program offered to students at no cost, provides instruction in knife skills, culinary theory, occupational health and safety, food handling and work placement experience, and is entirely donor-funded.
Thanks to you, Kenzie and so many other promising students can stabilize their lives and chase down their dreams!