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Jobs For Dropouts
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Not every student makes it to graduation – and without a high school degree, finding work can be tough. A program in Virginia is offering dropouts a recipe for success, by teaching them skills to use in the food services industry. Students who staff the Peace Meal Café learn more than how to make a hearty breakfast…they learn to make a better life. Reed Galin reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Petersburg, Va.)
When Latoya Williams cooks, she uses a special ingredient.
Latoya Williams/Peace Meal Student: “Just make it all with love, that’s
all.”
Latoya got her GED and is now learning how to run a restaurant…with the
help of Petersburg Urban Ministries, a United Methodist Church mission
site in Virginia.
Teacher in class: “If you were the server, what would you do?”
High school dropouts now take classes in restaurant service and
management. They learn about preparing menus and managing budgets.
Diner: “I eat it every morning. It’s real good.”
And they opened the Peace Meal Café, where they practice cooking for
students.
Karen Johnson/Teacher, Peace Meal Café: “It gives them the opportunity
to work in the service industry, perhaps in a hotel, perhaps in an
upscale restaurant. I don’t want to see any of these people in a
minimum-wage job with no benefits.”
Dante Clanton is a success story. He earned his GED, and is in the food
services course and college computer classes.
Dante Clanton/Peace Meal Student: “It was my last hope, when I came
here.”
There are four students in the first food services class. Future plans
include opening a public restaurant run by students.
Dwala Ferrell/Director, Petersburg Urban Ministries: “It’s exciting to
see them move beyond getting a GED and beginning to make plans for their
lives.”
Samantha Williams/Peace Meal Student: “They didn’t give up on me. That’s
why I’m where I’m at today.”
And one day, Latoya Williams wants to start her own chain of
restaurants. She’s confident she’s now on the right path.
Latoya Williams/Peace Meal Student: “There’s no doubt. Once I finish the
food service course and get the certificate, there’s no stopping me from
there.”
TAG:
Petersburg Urban Ministries also has a program for students to renovate
homes for low-income families. The ministry will soon have more room and
better facilities for its programs. Renovation work is underway at a
former store that will be the ministry’s new home. For more information,
go to
http://www.shalomnow.org.
The Peace Meal students also attend courses approved by the National
Restaurant Association and they do some outside catering.