Gather, the anti-hunger nonprofit, is recruiting participants for its new “Fresh Start” Culinary Workforce Training Program, scheduled to launch in February. The free, 12-week program will help community members who face hurdles finding a job gain the skills necessary for a career in the restaurant industry. There is no cost to participate thanks to the support of donors.

Gather aims to support individuals who face barriers to sustainable employment, such as housing instability, substance use disorder, mental health considerations, or involvement in the justice or foster care systems. Up to twelve students per cohort will learn, practice, and apply fundamental cooking techniques during eight weeks of instruction in Gather’s new culinary classroom at its Community Food Center. Participants will then complete a four-week internship in the local food service industry to further hone their skills, with the ultimate goal of securing full-time employment and helping ease labor shortages.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and live in New Hampshire or Maine. No educational requirements or prior restaurant experience are needed to apply. Applications are currently being accepted at https://www.gathernh.org/fresh-start.

Gather plans to offer four “Fresh Start” program cohorts each year. Those interested are invited to attend the next information session on Wednesday, January 7, at 5:00 p.m. at 124 Heritage Avenue in Portsmouth.

Tania Marino, Gather’s Director of Programs and Strategy, says the “Fresh Start” program is a natural fit with Gather’s mission, which includes offering innovative programs that build food security across the Greater Seacoast region. “We are excited to introduce a program that provides a pathway for those we serve to re-build their lives and get work, thereby shortening the line at our door.”

Tim Barr, a longtime and well-known chef on the Seacoast, will serve as the program’s instructor. In addition, Life Skills Specialist Leah Roth will work with participants to teach the life skills critical to job retention.

Barr, former chef at Ore Nell’s Barbeque, says he’s looking forward to taking on this new challenge leading Gather’s culinary instruction. “My personal life experiences help me relate to people who may be a good fit for this program. If it were not for certain opportunities that I had in my life, I would not be where I am today. In addition, having worked for a long time in the Seacoast restaurant industry, I also know how hard it can be to find staff. I am looking forward to teaching and connecting people to meaningful work while helping our restaurant industry.”

Gather is a member of the national Catalyst Kitchens network, which provides resources and connections to nonprofits across the country involved in workforce development. Marino explains, “We have been working with Catalyst Kitchens and its members for close to two years now in preparation for our ‘Fresh Start’ program launch, and they have provided invaluable input and ongoing support. Following their best-practice model makes us confident that we’re offering a tried-and-true program that will provide our students with the highest chance of success. It’s clear that to make a real difference, we need wrap-around support for our students by providing them with life skills, in addition to knife skills, to ensure they enter the workforce fully equipped to manage all scenarios that they may face.”

For more information or questions, contact Tania Marino at tmarino@gathernh.org.

About Gather
Gather is a social service nonprofit organization based in Portsmouth that combats hunger on the Greater Seacoast by building food security with dignity. Gather serves more than 10,000 families each month and distributes over 1.7 million pounds of food each year through a range of programs, including mobile food markets and the recently opened Community Food Center, which features a free grocery market, commercial and teaching kitchens, and community meeting space. Gather is also known for working with volunteers to prepare and distribute nutritious meals. Innovative programs include Seacoast Waste Not, a surplus food rescue initiative that partners with restaurants and food manufacturers to divert high-quality food from landfills. Gather is the oldest social service agency in the country, feeding those in need since 1816.

Learn more at www.gathernh.org.