Meet Avery
Avery lived on the streets of San Diego for years before moving into Father Joe’s Villages’ Emergency Shelter. Incredibly, once Avery had a safe place to stay, he was able focus on rebuilding his life.
When he began looking for work, his Housing Navigator recommended he enroll in Father Joe’s Villages Culinary Arts Program (CAP), an intensive 14-week culinary training program. The Culinary Arts Program not only teaches the skills needed to work in the sought-after hospitality industry, it also teaches the expertise required to apply for jobs and succeed in today’s job market.
During his time in CAP, Avery poured his energy into his culinary creations, spending 12-hour days training both in class and in the kitchen. He excelled in the program and found that he had a passion for cooking. It was through CAP that Avery gained a sense of confidence and ambition he hadn’t felt since before he was homeless.
“The Culinary Arts Program at Father Joe’s Villages gave me a sense of worth,” he said.
Avery was so successful in CAP that he was hired on as a full-time Line Cook in Father Joe’s Villages’ kitchens after he graduated. With a stable job, Avery was able to move out of our shelter and into a permanent home of his own. Then, during the COVID-19 crisis, Avery was able to assist the Food Services team with increasing meal times and locations to better serve people experiencing homelessness and hunger.
“I wanted to give back what I was given from Father Joe’s Villages. My future feels secure. I will never be back on that street. I now have what I need to do what I want.”