Strengthening food
service careers

Community Action Marin & Homeward Bound Partner to Help People Find Jobs
Posted on Category Opportunities, Stories, Updates

Community Action Marin is excited to announce a partnership with Homeward Bound of Marin to support job placement in the food services industry. The agencies will work together through existing program models to strengthen the successful Fresh Starts Culinary Academy and Economic Justice SparkPoint services by offering career coaching, financial literacy skill building, as well as outreach support to future students in both English and Spanish. The collaboration will focus on employment readiness and job placement to ensure graduates are successful in securing meaningful employment once they complete the program. 

The partnership is funded with help from $750,000 in grant funding from California’s “Breaking Barriers Initiative.” The work focuses on career training and creating employment pathways through Homeward Bound’s 10-week Fresh Starts program in core culinary skills. Homeward Bound also serves as Marin County’s chief provider of shelter and supportive housing for families and adults transitioning out of homelessness. 

Community Action Marin will provide important bilingual financial literacy training and life skills development for trainees and graduates fulfilling supportive employment at Homeward Bound. The agency will also make is high-quality childcare and other supportive services available to participants, as well as help to recruit and raise the visibility of the program through community outreach and information sharing via frontline Success Coach staff working directly with Marin residents of low income.  

Heather Bettini, Senior Director, Economic Justice at Community Action Marin commented on the partnership:  

“We’re delighted to join with Homeward Bound of Marin to strengthen the tremendously successful Fresh Starts Culinary Academy through coaching, skill building, and outreach support. Together, we will provide individuals of low-income with the opportunity to learn the skills and earn the certificate required to join the food services profession in a supportive environment. Participants will not only enter a new career pathway and increase their sense of self-worth, but they will also build skills they will use of the rest of their lives.” 

“Homeward Bound is thrilled and grateful to expand training options for our culinary students, enhancing skills and providing amazing, collaborative opportunities to grow in the dynamic food industry,” says Mary Kay Sweeney, Homeward Bound’s Co-Chief Executive Officer. 

Fresh Starts Culinary Academy can transform your career opportunities! Valued at $10,000, this hands-on course enrolls eligible students at no charge to learn core culinary skills and front-of-house service. Graduates testify to the life-changing shifts that happen for people who have faced barriers to employment: 

“In two and a half months and then you’re working and it’s great. And now I’ve got the skills to pay the bills.” 

“They’re just so supportive and they gave me excellent training from the kitchen to the front of the house.” 

“This culinary program changed my life.” 

“It’s helped to give me the tool set and tools to get out there and join the workforce again.” 

Click this link for more information, to watch the program video, and to apply. 

To enroll in Community Action Marin services directly or learn more, click here.