New Food Service Training Program

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore announced today the launch of a new food service employment training program targeted for low income, unemployed individuals seeking a new start through a career in the food service industry. The new program, called “Next Course,” replicates an innovative program called FareStart based in Seattle, Washington.  The model involves providing students an intensive, tiered training curriculum combined with life and employability skills and one-on-one case management support.  Students’ progression through the tiers is determined by the attainment of specific skills, using a combination of written assessments, practical assessments and kitchen observations.

The 16 weeks of food service instruction begins with learning the basic culinary essentials of equipment and food knowledge, while also strengthening customer service skills.  As students progress, two training chefs work side by side with them as they learn product and equipment identification, safety and sanitation, and knife skills.  Students then move on to recipe reading, food service math and cooking techniques, and end by executing an entire meal.

A unique aspect of the training is that it takes place in the commercial catering kitchen of KidzTable--St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore’s new social enterprise.  KidzTable prepares over 2,500 meals from scratch daily using fresh, nutritious foods for children and youth in Head Start, schools, day care centers, camps and afterschool programs in the Baltimore area.  Next Course students are fully immersed in the daily production of KidzTable’s catered meals providing a real-world food production environment to enhance the learning process.

“Next Course is tailored to the individual needs and strengths of the students,” said Dr. Laura Spada, Sr. Director of Workforce Development for St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore.  “Students move forward only as they demonstrate mastery of core competencies.  The model also allows for rolling admissions, enabling us to continuously add new students.” 
Next Course also incorporates an integrated case management model in which a career support specialist works with each student to overcome barriers to employment, reinforce life and employability skills, and assist in job placement.  A key strength of Next Course is the partnerships and relationships staff have cultivated with area businesses in order to provide placements for internships and employment opportunities for the students.  In its first year, Next Course is projected to train and place 60 students into employment.

 “Career-oriented employment is the key to lifting individuals out of poverty and building a better future for themselves and their family,” said John Schiavone, President & CEO of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore.  “With the sustained high levels of unemployment that we are experiencing right now, we are focusing our organization resources on employment training that gives low income and homeless individuals the opportunity to acquire the skills and experience to be gainfully employed.  I am really excited that we are able to introduce this innovative model to Baltimore.  Our plan is to create additional comprehensive, employment skills training programs in high demand fields that provide a living wage for those who are unemployed and struggling to feed their families or keep a roof over their head.”

Head Start Program Expands

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore announces the expansion of its Head Start services from 499 children to 877 children, in 47 classrooms at 7 locations throughout Baltimore City, including sites in the Park Heights, Patterson Park, Joseph Lee and Oliver communities. A large portion of this most recent growth in services came from adding slots that were previously sponsored by St. Francis Xavier Church.

With this expansion, St. Vincent de Paul also completed a consolidation of all of its existing Head Start services under one management structure, hiring Christopher Barnes in August to be the Sr. Director of Child and Family Services.

"With diminished funding as a direct result of the economic downturn, and a greater emphasis on outcome achievement, we needed to make our services as fiscally and operationally efficient as possible, while also continuing to meet program goals," stated Stephanie Archer-Smith, Sr. Vice President of Operations. "We have used this expansion as an opportunity to focus our talents, strengthen our resources, and provide greater focus on educational outcomes and higher achievement."

Head Start is a nation-wide comprehensive pre-school education program designed to prepare low-income children for academic success, and promote age-appropriate social skills. The Head Start program works in partnership with parents, extended family, and members of the community to offer developmentally appropriate education, health, case management and family support services to children and their families. Head Start provides a structured program that includes daily academic instruction by certified early childhood educators using a curriculum approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. Each family is provided with case management and other services that support a healthy and stable family unit. Parents play an active role in the program and are educated and coached on how to become their child's primary educator and advocate.