Grace Mayson
Soft-spoken and small in stature, Grace Mayson has big ideas about what she hopes to accomplish in her life. And with the help of the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK), she is well on her way.
As a refugee from Ghana, Grace was in the United States for only three months when she was referred to the PCK. Facing many obstacles as she started to rebuild her life, Grace initially didn’t pass the PCK placement test. But after assuring the program that she would do anything to prove herself if given a chance, she was approved to begin.
Graced maintained perfect attendance and high grades both in the classroom and also in the kitchen. Upon graduation, she was offered full-time employment opportunity within Drexel’s Dining Services Department. Through her continued successes and determination, Grace was then offered the role of a Kitchen Supervisor with Sodexo. She recently completed her Certified Dietary Management course, supported by PCK, and she applies these
skills to her position daily.
Grace truly represents the PCK’s philosophy of progress and change. Now with her own apartment and car, Grace is living a full, independent life.
Barbara Ross
“There is nothing better than providing for yourself and your family. Once you have that, you won’t ever want to go back,” shares Barbara Ross, who after ten years of bartending for a mere forty dollars a day, was looking for a change. With limited formal education, Barbara sought an opportunity that could utilize her passion in the kitchen. “I love to cook. I thought I could make a good living at it.” And she found it in the Philabundance Community Kitchen.
Barbara worked hard while in the program, continuing to bartend at night in order to make ends meet for herself and her two children, but it wasn’t easy. Her battle with asthma and the declining health of her sister forced her to occasionally miss class. Regardless, she persevered and eventually earned the title of valedictorian of her class.
After graduation, Barbara was hired by Philabundance where she served as cook in the PCK kitchen for three years, providing dedicated and compassionate service to a community of people in need. This experience enabled her to eventually secure another position with greater responsibilities and growth potential, where she works today.
Lamont Hooper
Lamont Hooper enrolled in the Philabundance Community Kitchen(PCK) for a chance to offer his wife and children a better life. Working as a full-time security guard overnight, Lamont spent his days fully committed to the PCK program. Although fatigued and weary at times, he maintained excellent attendance, a strong desire to learn and an unshakable work ethic.
Lamont’s efforts earned him the role of valedictorian of his class and helped him land employment as a cook with the Salvation Army’s Eliza Shirley shelter. Inspired by the ability to provide meals to people facing difficult circumstances, Lamont excelled in the position. Within six months, he was promoted to assistant head cook.
When a full-time position became available at the PCK kitchen a year and a half later, Lamont was offered the position and accepted. He spent three years proving his commitment to the kitchen and led by example for students following in his path.
Lamont was then presented with a life changing opportunity: Through a family connection, he secured a role supervising a hospital food service operation in South Carolina. The substantial pay increase and tremendous responsibility allow Lamont to finally provide for his family as he always had hoped.
Kashal Mack
Prior to Kashal Mack’s enrollment in the Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK), he had worked part-time in the food service industry, but was unclear as to what sort of career to pursue. Low self-confidence and a learning disability contributed to his sense of unease.
During his training at PCK, Kashal gained confidence through practicing his culinary skills and developed a keen eye for analyzing and correcting recipes. He even began to help others in the kitchen.
Kashal secured an internship with Aramark Services at Presbyterian Hospital, where his outstanding performance merited an excellent evaluation from his colleagues. With a renewed sense of self-worth, Kashal was ready to hit the job market. Upon graduation from the PCK, which included his ServSafe Certification, Kashal secured employment at Hahnemann University Hospital as a line cook.
Kashal remains successful in his role at Hahnemann, has been able to discontinue supplementary income, and speaks highly of how PCK has helped him reach his potential.
Antoinette McFarland
Antoinette McFarland wanted to provide a better life for herself and her daughter—and knew that she must change her circumstances in order to make that happen.
Despite her five year employment with Temple University as a cashier, Antoinette still couldn’t afford to live independently. She attended work daily, hoping to receive a promotion to the kitchen where she could cook as she had always wanted. But that opportunity never came—until she enrolled in the Philabundance Community Kitchen.
Antoinette exhibited determination and commitment throughout the 14-week program while she still managed the daily grind of part-time work and raising her daughter. Her performance at PCK was nothing short of exemplary, achieving one of the highest grades in her class. Following graduation, Antoinette applied for a transfer to a different site within her company, and secured a role that offered her higher income and growth potential. Her dedication allowed her to achieve full-time employment with earnings twice her previous salary.
Nine months following Antoinette’s job change, she was able to rent an apartment of her own, where she and her daughter now live comfortably, free of social support.
Niema Womack
When Niema Womack entered the culinary arts job training program at the Philabundance Community Kitchen, it was clear that she was determined to make a good impression and put forth her best effort. She had great respect for the learning environment and as a result, the quality of her work was exemplary. All the while, Niema was taking care of her ailing grandfather.
Niema interned at the renowned Union League Club in Philadelphia and was offered a full-time position on day two of her internship! While opportunity presented itself, so did the growing challenge of her grandfather’s care. As guardian, Niema single handedly moved her grandfather into assisted living.
Following a successful tenure at the Union League, Niema has gone on to hone her skills in kitchens throughout the region. Additionally, in an effort to continue her career growth, she completed a medical program at Drexel University in October 2010. Niema is a great example of how PCK provides training and life skills to help students pursue their dreams while simultaneously coping with life’s challenges.
Linda Nesbitt
Linda Nesbitt was a student in Philabundance Community Kitchen’s PCK) very first class in the fall of 2000. When she began at the PCK, Linda had been sober for nine months, was about to graduate from a residential recovery program and was looking for an opportunity to restart her life. Her children had been removed from her home over the years and she owed it to them and herself to make a positive change.
Although Linda was a diligent student making excellent grades with little effort, she was argumentative and did not handle conflict well. After a heated argument with a staff member, Linda was sent home and challenged not to come back until she was ready to improve her attitude. Not only did Linda come back, she did so with a new commitment to change her ways and became the program’s first valedictorian.
Following graduation, Linda was hired as a dietary aide in a nursing facility. She is still employed in this role, has successfully been removed from welfare, regained legal custody of all her children and two grandchildren, obtained her own home, and has seen her starting wage salary increase over the years. Linda has also made arrangements to attend college, working toward a degree as a Registered Dietician.
Linda still visits the PCK today, stressing her appreciation of “where it all started” and reminding us frequently that in spite of life’s challenges, anything is possible.
