To the diners at the H.A.V.E. Cafe, it is just another meal, but to the servers and cooks, it is a new way of life.
In the last three years of the H.A.V.E. (Hope Action Values Ethics) program, 245 students have completed the eight-week program in beginner culinary training after overcoming incredible odds to improve themselves. The H.A.V.E. Cafe is the training ground for students, as they prep, cook, wait tables and clean up after service, just like in any other restaurant in the city.
The program operates in the troubled downtown eastside, with the mission of helping those with barriers to employment get a fresh start in the kitchens of restaurants.
Many of the participants are people trying to put past drug addictions, prison time and alcoholism behind them, but others are those with physical or mental disabilities, under-educated students, new immigrants or even housewives looking to get back into the working world.
“Cooking is something you can learn from scratch and build on,” said H.A.V.E. placement coordinator Laura Hayes.
Students are taught by H.A.V.E. executive director Amber Anderson, a certified chef de cuisine.
To date, 138 of the 245 students landed paid work in restaurants around Vancouver, including Kitsilano Daily Kitchen and White Spot and hotels and catering companies. Most of the positions are entry level, but hard work and being around others can bring change to the students’ lives.
“Being with people is significant in people’s lives. It’s a positive space where people can come and build relationships with each other. We function as a social enterprise,” Hayes said.
Students are able to escape their lives for eight weeks and come to a place that is healthy, nurturing and supportive as they learn life skills needed to function in society.
It also places students in an environment where discipline, listening and learning are necessary to complete the program and show they can succeed.
Hayes said the biggest challenge for H.A.V.E. is getting students into a paid industry job, as there is currently just a 50 per cent placement rate.
“It’s about the relationships we forge with restaurants as well as talking to restaurants and showing them that there are benefits. It’s a challenge for us,” she said.
Restaurant looking to participate by taking on students for a one-week placement, with the option of hiring them upon completion, can contact Hayes at the cafe.
There is no cost for students to take part in the program, which was founded in 2007 by Brad Mills, owner of office supply company Mills Basics.
The café is open for breakfast and lunch and is located at 374 Powell Street in Vancouver.
