Culinary training available for offenders
The Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney and its partner agencies celebrated the anniversary of the Taking Root diversion program and announced a new component to teach graduates culinary skills.
Taking Root provides extensive, individualized services to people charged with non-violent offenses.
Offenders accepted into the program receive case management, mental health assessments, substance abuse assessment referrals, compliance monitoring, education referrals, job skill training referrals, and help accessing affordable housing. If Taking Root participants complete the training, they can have their cases dismissed.
About 100 people are currently in Taking Root, and 20 have graduated. The program was launched in 2022 in partnership with OAR (Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources), a nonprofit that helps people involved in the criminal justice system.
The new initiative, Pathfinder Kitchen, will provide training leading to restaurant jobs for six Taking Root graduates starting this spring.
“This doesn’t just help justice-involved individuals get out of the system, but also helps them build a great career,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano at an event announcing Pathfinder Kitchen on Jan. 8.
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Pathfinder Kitchen participants will learn professional culinary skills at Mackenzie’s Tunes & Tonics, a restaurant in Fairfax. Chef Duriel Barnes, a former officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, will provide the training.
After participants complete the training, they will earn a certificate that will qualify them for jobs at Mackenzie’s and other restaurants.
Pathfinder Kitchen is funded by a grant from the City of Fairfax. Britepaths, a local nonprofit, will provide additional services to participants.
“People deserve second chances,” said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “The vast majority of folks who come into contact with our justice system are going to return to our communities, so preparing them for a meaningful return is something we’re all committed to.”
“The moments in your life when you learn the most are when you make mistakes,” said Sen. Tim Kaine. “Some people’s mistakes wrap them up in the justice system, and that can stop them from achieving, learning, and growing in the way that we should all have the opportunity to do.”
Kaine was able to get $700,000 appropriated by Congress in 2022 to start Taking Root.
“One mistake does not define a person,” said Lula Kelly, diversion program manager at OAR. “People who saw no help, no hope, are now saying ‘maybe I can do something. Maybe I can get a career and not just a job.’”
What great programs! Hope this keeps the recidivism rate down and allows these folks to be contributing members of society. Hope these certificates are enough to help convince restaurants to hire them. We also need to be able to teach low-level offenders better paying skills in STEM fields. It can be hard to live on many restaurant salaries.
Convicts/criminals are now “justice-involved individuals.”
Yes, you are correct Keeping up. It is extremely important not to stigmatize people.
Excellent news! This is the type of smart forward thinking social justice program I expect from Fairfax County, especially its Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Bravo.