As a U.S. Navy Veteran and former E-5 Second Class Petty Officer, I have always been a hard worker, getting promotions at nearly every job I have ever held. That mentality and diligence also led me to earn an associate’s degree in business administration. Despite these successes, though, after leaving the military, I found it very challenging to secure employment as a civilian. I had trouble affording stable housing without steady work and so, for the past two years, I have been living at a veterans’ shelter in Long Island City. My story is my own, but this struggle is unfortunately all too common — after we serve our nation and return home, veterans are particularly likely to face homelessness.
I have always loved cooking and, while living in the shelter, I learned about Project Renewal’s Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP). This six-month job preparation program for a career in the kitchen was being taught right in the shelter, and I knew it was an opportunity I had to pursue.
Unfortunately, the program was delayed for nearly a year, but the administrators — Ms. Cherry and Ms. Davis — remained transparent and encouraging throughout that process. I appreciated that support, because I was still struggling with unemployment and desperately needed a path forward, so when I finally received that email telling me the program was starting, I was elated. It was time to get working again.
I am currently enrolled in a CATP cohort, and I am learning so much so fast. The course is providing me with professional skills, kitchen knowledge, proper techniques, and the confidence I need to pursue a career in the culinary industry. I am learning knife skills, kitchen terminology, and proper cooking methods, from blanching to basting. With this exposure and immersion into the culinary world, I now feel truly prepared to enter any professional kitchen and get cooking.
I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I can see my classmates learning and growing alongside me. Many of them have faced similar struggles and are also seeking to overcome them — some are veterans looking to rebuild their lives, some have dealt with substance use and are in recovery, while others are working to secure permanent housing for themselves and their families. We are all hard workers who just needed the right opportunity to achieve our goals.
The Project Renewal team is knowledgeable, supportive, and welcoming. Our instructor, Chef Mike, helps ensure that every student’s voice is heard. He creates a learning environment that motivates and empowers us. I am excited to use what I have learned in this program, not just to chop vegetables and complete orders, but to move toward a stable, independent future. Knowing the team will help me find a hands-on internship and a job after graduation takes a weight off my chest. With their help, I know I will be working again soon.
I wholeheartedly believe that Project Renewal’s CATP program has the power to change lives — especially for veterans like me who are seeking a second chance. This program needs continued funding and support to help many more individuals transform their futures. Individuals like me and my classmates, who gain the courage to keep moving forward when the odds seem stacked against us.
Dwayne Black is a U.S. Navy Veteran and former E-5 Second Class Petty Officer from New York City. He is currently enrolled in Project Renewal’s Culinary Arts Training Program.