Services

Programs & Services

RE-ENTRY TRAINING PROGRAM

Community of Destiny, Inc. (COD) is passionate about helping former inmates to gain the skills that they need to re-enter society and live healthy lifestyles. Upon leaving incarceration, many former inmates face numerous barriers when it comes to obtaining employment, getting their rights restored, drug addiction, lack of diploma and/or G.E.D., health issues and the necessary skills and/or work experience to succeed the job market.

COD has found that the food industry is one of the most forgiving industries for ex-offenders and therefore our founder, Chef Grace Peart, has implemented programs to provide useful training based on her experience as a Chef accredited by TIPS and Serv-Safe as well as her experience as a former corrections officer.

Vocational rehabilitation

Medical needs

Legal services

Substance abuse services

Emergency food and clothing

Transportation for job leads, shopping, emergency food and/or housing

Life Skills

Cognitive Thinking

Job Training

Conflict Resolution

Substance Abuse Avoidance

Anger Management

READY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM?

CULINARY ARTS TRAINING PROGRAM

The CAP course provides students with multiple certificates including Serv-Safe, TIPS, Food Handler Cards, CPR, and First Aid. Additionally, it provides participants with hands on training in a real culinary setting.

COURSE SUMMARY

The CAP is a 10-week educational experience that combines structured classroom time, hands-on skills learning in a full commercial kitchen, followed by an internship with local restaurants, both fast food and fine dining facilities. We provide integrated work readiness training, practical training, and one-on-one counseling sessions.

Through core competencies instruction and input from community partners and professionals in the field, we provide career exploration and awareness, understanding employer expectations, and development of soft skills as well as life skills. We recognize the Food Service Industry is the most forgiving industry for individuals with barriers and criminal backgrounds.

RECRUITMENT/ASSESSMENT

Community of Destiny, Inc. (COD), with the assistance of the Department of Community Supervision and Human Services along with the Mass Housing Enhancement Program, has implemented the Minority AIDS Culinary Education Program (MCEP) to meet the needs of employment for ex-offenders and minorities with HIV/AIDS.

Potential participants will be identified through the Medical Case Managers and Transitional House Specialists. Participants will complete and application and interview process with a team that includes the Chef Instructor, Case Manager, and Housing Specialist. Each candidate will complete a written application, including an essay that identifies their interest in the program.

Additionally, each candidate must complete an in-person interview that addresses employment goals, knowledge of food service and hospitality industry, and current barriers to employment or success in a full-time program. Candidates are also pre-tested to assess reading and math levels to determine their potential for success with the curriculum.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CAP PROGRAM?

Feel free to contact us today with any inquiries!

IN-SCHOOL LUNCHES

Community of Destiny, Inc. (COD) has prioritized empowering at-risk youth that lack hope due to their circumstances and/or environment at home and in the local community. While working in Public Schools, our founder, Chef Grace Peart encountered many students whom were victims or had parents that were victims of domestic violence as well as drug and alcohol abuse then from that point decided to provoke positive change in local communities to result in a higher rate of positive outcomes in the lives of the youth.ograms as well as provides mentorship to help inspire the youth to reach their full potential.

COD routinely hosts holiday events, provides in-school lunches, and administers trainings for the youth and their parents through offered programs as well as provides mentorship to help inspire the youth to reach their full potential.

Some of the offerings include but are not limited to:
- Culinary Arts Training
- Nutritional Wellness
- In-School Lunches
- Family Counseling
- Entrepreneur Training
- Childhood Obesity Prevention
- Parenting & Life Skill Instruction for Pregnant and Parenting Teens
- Mentorship
- Physical Fitness
- Soft Skills
- Anti-Bullying
- Basic Skills Instruction (reading, writing, and math)
- Family Counseling
- Workshops
- Counseling
- Outpatient Therapy
- Pre-Employment Skills Training and Job Search Assistance and Placement
- Work-based Learning Opportunities

All meals, foods, and beverages provided at schools are served by qualified child nutrition professionals and meet state and federal requirements based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines.