Rising Higher Campaign Update A huge thank you to all who have contributed to our Rising Higher Campaign so far, helping us reach 82% of our campaign goal. We need you! With Amazon’s incredible partnership and the support of our donor community, we can assure the success and growth of our new Foodservice Apprenticeship Program over the next three years. And what’s more, that success will help FareStart double our reach over the next 10 years serving 7,000 people across all of our training programs.
Your Name on a Chair or Barstool Will Help our Apprentices to Rise Higher! Your name on a chair or barstool at Maslow’s by FareStart will help an apprentice reach for his or her goals, get a living wage job, and escape poverty for good! For supporters who give at the $5,000 level and the $10,000 level to the Rising Higher Campaign, recognition on a chair or a barstool, respectively, is available for a limited time.
As long as poverty and homelessness exist in our region, FareStart will strive to do more.
A newsletter for FareStart’s most impactful donors | Volume 6 Issue 1, March 2018
CIRCLE IMPACT Megan Karch Departs, Looks Back on 18 Years of FareStart Magic
FareStart congratulates the eight apprentices who have graduated from our Foodservice Apprenticeship Program so far! Overall the grads who have started new jobs have had an over 40% increase in their wages from before they came to the program. Among the new positions they’ve taken are a server at a top local restaurant, a Sous Chef, a cook in corporate dining at a local tech company, and a Line Cook at a local eatery and gaming venue.
Your name could be here!
We invite you to come and tour our facilities in the Houdini North building in South Lake Union and see the Foodservice Apprenticeship Program in action! And if you would like to become a Rising Higher Campaign donor by making a special gift, over and above your annual support of FareStart, please contact us (see contact info at right).
Megan Karch with Jacques Pepin at FareStart in 2017
For more details, tours, and information on donating, please visit at farestart.org/rising-higher-campaign or contact us at risinghigher@farestart.org or 206-267-6224.
Join Us in Rising Higher!
Megan Karch came to FareStart in 2000 when it was an eight-year-old nonprofit doing something remarkable – not just feeding people in need, but bringing them in and training them for foodservice jobs, and in doing so, transforming their lives for the better. We asked her to reflect upon her 18 years as Executive Director/CEO of FareStart, now that she is moving on to a new opportunity as CEO of IslandWood on Bainbridge Island. What do you remember about your first exposure to FareStart?
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING FARESTART EVENTS ■ S tarting Monthly in April: Wine and beer paired dinners at Maslow’s by FareStart! Watch for our email or visit farestart.org/Maslows for current information.
■ O ctober 14: 26th Annual Great Food, Better Lives Gala Auction at the Washington State Convention Center and Skybridge. Early Bird Reservations will be available starting on April 1, 2018. Register early for the best rate! uly, date TBD: Circle of Impact Donor Reception/Apprenticeship ■ J Program One-Year Celebration at Community Table by FareStart
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Michelle McDaniel
Chief Development Officer 206.267.6211 michelle.mcdaniel@farestart.org
Megan Hampson
Director, Mission Advancement 206.787.1512 megan.hampson@farestart.org
Lauren Young
Rising Higher Campaign Manager/ Mission Advancement Officer 206.267.6224 lauren@farestart.org
Erika Van Merr
Mission Advancement Officer 206.267.6223 erika.van.merr@farestart.org
FareStart Circle of Impact supporters are welcome to contact us at any time for information on donations, our Legacy Circle (planned giving), volunteering, scheduling a tour, or for any other questions. Please also visit our website at farestart.org.
Apprentices Move Up and On
They had this event for the three final candidates for the job where they invited anyone – board, students, volunteers, anyone who wanted to come – to a get-to-know-you reception. And at that reception, I thought, if these people are for real, I want to work for them. And the reason was that there was so much passion for the mission and such a strong sense of community. What are a few of your most memorable moments from your career at FareStart? There are so many! But definitely every Friday [when FareStart has an internal graduation for adult students] is unique and different. There have been so many moments, but one stands out – early on one of our students was talking about why he was making these changes in his life. He said that he’d been in prison for the last ten years or so, and that he realized when one of his children was visiting him that he was their hero. And he didn’t feel like their hero should be somebody in jail. He felt like if he’s going to be their hero, he needed to be someone that sets a good example. We hear that in many ways from our students but that story stuck with me. (Continued on page 3)
Many more individuals that have been struggling with poverty, homelessness and other barriers to employment are currently working toward their apprentice certification and new career possibilities as they train in Maslow’s, Rise, Community Table, and with the FareStart catering team. We look forward to many more graduations and new jobs as we aim to train ninety apprentices this year, and move them toward living wages and sustainable careers.
Megan Karch Departs, Looks Back on 18 Years of FareStart Magic (continued from front cover)
The consistent theme that I hear from them when they talk is this sense of value of themselves that they didn’t have when they came in. This sense of worth, of worthiness. I’ve heard that theme in every graduation.
2017 FareStart Mission Outcomes Snapshot FareStart’s 25th anniversary year was a record setter in many ways as we partnered with Amazon to expand our businesses and add a new program. We are proud to report the greater impact we are having each year and excited for the growth yet to come. Thank you to the Circle of Impact for the contributions that help make all this possible!
LOCAL PROGRAMS:
4
22
TRAINING PROGRAMS
FareStart now has two programs for youth – the Youth Barista Program and the Youth Culinary Program – and two for adults– our Adult Culinary Program and the new Foodservice Apprenticeship Program.
317
JOB PLACEMENTS – ALL PROGRAMS
Total of two adult program and two youth program placements of students and grads from any year. This is FareStart’s highest number of job placements ever.
11
INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN NEW FOOD SERVICE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Enrolled between program launch in July and December 31, 2017.
90% 56
ADULT CULINARY PROGRAM JOB PLACEMENT RATE YOUTH EARNING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS
85% 17
875,123
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BUSINESSES
The FareStart Restaurant, FareStart Catering, Cafe @ 2100, Cafe @ PacTower, Community Table by FareStart (three outlets: Bowls, BBQ and Salads), Rise by FareStart, Maslow’s by FareStart, School Meals by FareStart, Community Meals by FareStart
247
GRADUATES – ALL PROGRAMS
Program completions in 2017 calendar year.
ADULT CULINARY PROGRAM 6-MONTH JOB RETENTION RATE YOUTH EARNING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED
MEALS SERVED
Community Meals for shelters, transitional housing, low-income health care facilities, hospice centers, and School Meals. FareStart has served over 10 million meals to people in need over its 25-year history.
CATALYST KITCHENS NETWORK MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
The Catalyst Kitchens network provides vital resources and benefits to member organizations who use our model foodservice training and social enterprise across the US and in Canada.
22
CATALYST CONSULTING CLIENT ORGANIZATIONS SERVED
The Catalyst Consulting team works with groups and organizations to incubate, launch and scale up programs like FareStart around North America.
What kind of opportunities do you see for FareStart in the future? Some big opportunities for FareStart are on a national scale. We have a lot of opportunities to share this model even more than we have – it’s fabulous what we’ve done but there is a lot more potential, from getting more programs started to greater leadership around public policy. We also have a lot of opportunities around partnerships, really unique partnerships – we’re really good at that. Our partnerships with Amazon and with the school district are good examples, but I see us forming more partnerships with employers that will be unique and different in the future. How do you think FareStart supporters have made a difference?
NATIONAL PROGRAM:
55
Another strong memory was in my first week of the job [back at the Josephinum on 2nd Avenue]. We were having a fundraising breakfast to talk about our work. I got there early and we were setting up and getting ready, and our power went out. Apparently this was a pretty normal thing that happened. I remember thinking, oh my gosh, there is no way that these people can arrive without a cup of coffee ready for them. But we had a long cord that went out and went to the building next door and they gave us power and we got through it – and the staff just didn’t blink. So I learned pretty quickly that the staff at FareStart just gets it done and makes it happen and doesn’t let little things get in the way. And that is still the case!
2
NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED THROUGH CATALYST CONSULTING
A new program for youth in need in Cincinnati, Ohio and one in South Bend, Indiana for the homeless and unemployed population were launched by Catalyst Consulting last year.
50
NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED SINCE 2011
And over 100 more were incubated, grown and improved via Catalyst Kitchens.
Our supporters give their time, treasure and talent, and they give us their expertise. While we have ideas, they are the ones that lift us up and give us the ability to make it happen. They have believed in us and in our vision, and most importantly in our students and their lives. We continue to exist because of our community, we can’t do it without all the players, all of the partners. At FareStart, we mean it when we say that we were created by our community.
Mission Moment: Ezra
What will you miss? Fridays! I’ll miss graduation, and hearing from our students first hand every single week how FareStart impacts their lives. I’ve always known that that’s special and unique. And that most people don’t get to experience that every week in their job. And then, I’ll miss our culture. It’s a really special place here. Everybody here makes it so. What I described that I felt when I interviewed – that magic is still here. It exists among all of our staff and our board and our students and volunteers and our donors – they create that. I know that it’s a very unique environment.
“At FareStart, we mean it when we say that we were created by our community.” What are you looking forward to in your new job? I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, board, volunteers, and students. They have a similar passion and commitment for mission that FareStart has. IslandWood is poised to grow their programs locally and nationally and I’m looking forward to working with the team on this. But most importantly, I’m looking forward to learning new things and continuing to grow as a person – a new chapter of learning and stretching myself and my thinking. It’s exciting – and scary as well! Other thoughts on her departure: I’m excited but also really feel as if I’m ripping a limb off. I’ve enjoyed the relationships built over the last 18 year the most – everything we do is about relationships. Whether with students, volunteers, staff supporters, I’ll miss the people that I feel like I’ve grown up with over the years – even though I might see them maybe two or three times a year, maybe at Guest Chef Night, those are longtime relationships. FareStart is my community, I grew up with them. But I definitely won’t be a stranger – a part of my heart will still be with FareStart.
Ezra entered FareStart’s Youth Barista Program in fall of 2016, a teen who was unstably housed and with limited job experience, having worked previously as a dishwasher. Ezra saw this program as a stepping stone toward working on education and figuring out what the next stage of life looked like for him. Ezra overcame many challenges while in barista, and each week received feedback on maintaining a professional attitude toward staff and acquaintances. When asked what he felt his biggest areas of growth have been since he started the barista program, his response was, “I’ve really learned how to talk to people and improve my professionalism. I’m now able to carefully analyze situations, and am also more careful about being impulsive.” With the assistance of staff, Ezra was ready to make the college dream a reality. He used his newly learned barista skills to land a job at a Seattle Central College coffee stand after graduating from the program. Fast forward a year and Ezra is now in his first year of college. He has been able to balance school while also remaining dedicated to a job with the Mockingbird Society. He is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science, and would like to go to law school. His next step – applying for an internship in Washington D.C. We are so proud of you, Ezra!
Circle of Impact Newsletter - Volume 6 Issue 1 | 3
Megan Karch Departs, Looks Back on 18 Years of FareStart Magic (continued from front cover)
The consistent theme that I hear from them when they talk is this sense of value of themselves that they didn’t have when they came in. This sense of worth, of worthiness. I’ve heard that theme in every graduation.
2017 FareStart Mission Outcomes Snapshot FareStart’s 25th anniversary year was a record setter in many ways as we partnered with Amazon to expand our businesses and add a new program. We are proud to report the greater impact we are having each year and excited for the growth yet to come. Thank you to the Circle of Impact for the contributions that help make all this possible!
LOCAL PROGRAMS:
4
22
TRAINING PROGRAMS
FareStart now has two programs for youth – the Youth Barista Program and the Youth Culinary Program – and two for adults– our Adult Culinary Program and the new Foodservice Apprenticeship Program.
317
JOB PLACEMENTS – ALL PROGRAMS
Total of two adult program and two youth program placements of students and grads from any year. This is FareStart’s highest number of job placements ever.
11
INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN NEW FOOD SERVICE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Enrolled between program launch in July and December 31, 2017.
90% 56
ADULT CULINARY PROGRAM JOB PLACEMENT RATE YOUTH EARNING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS
85% 17
875,123
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BUSINESSES
The FareStart Restaurant, FareStart Catering, Cafe @ 2100, Cafe @ PacTower, Community Table by FareStart (three outlets: Bowls, BBQ and Salads), Rise by FareStart, Maslow’s by FareStart, School Meals by FareStart, Community Meals by FareStart
247
GRADUATES – ALL PROGRAMS
Program completions in 2017 calendar year.
ADULT CULINARY PROGRAM 6-MONTH JOB RETENTION RATE YOUTH EARNING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED
MEALS SERVED
Community Meals for shelters, transitional housing, low-income health care facilities, hospice centers, and School Meals. FareStart has served over 10 million meals to people in need over its 25-year history.
CATALYST KITCHENS NETWORK MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
The Catalyst Kitchens network provides vital resources and benefits to member organizations who use our model foodservice training and social enterprise across the US and in Canada.
22
CATALYST CONSULTING CLIENT ORGANIZATIONS SERVED
The Catalyst Consulting team works with groups and organizations to incubate, launch and scale up programs like FareStart around North America.
What kind of opportunities do you see for FareStart in the future? Some big opportunities for FareStart are on a national scale. We have a lot of opportunities to share this model even more than we have – it’s fabulous what we’ve done but there is a lot more potential, from getting more programs started to greater leadership around public policy. We also have a lot of opportunities around partnerships, really unique partnerships – we’re really good at that. Our partnerships with Amazon and with the school district are good examples, but I see us forming more partnerships with employers that will be unique and different in the future. How do you think FareStart supporters have made a difference?
NATIONAL PROGRAM:
55
Another strong memory was in my first week of the job [back at the Josephinum on 2nd Avenue]. We were having a fundraising breakfast to talk about our work. I got there early and we were setting up and getting ready, and our power went out. Apparently this was a pretty normal thing that happened. I remember thinking, oh my gosh, there is no way that these people can arrive without a cup of coffee ready for them. But we had a long cord that went out and went to the building next door and they gave us power and we got through it – and the staff just didn’t blink. So I learned pretty quickly that the staff at FareStart just gets it done and makes it happen and doesn’t let little things get in the way. And that is still the case!
2
NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED THROUGH CATALYST CONSULTING
A new program for youth in need in Cincinnati, Ohio and one in South Bend, Indiana for the homeless and unemployed population were launched by Catalyst Consulting last year.
50
NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED SINCE 2011
And over 100 more were incubated, grown and improved via Catalyst Kitchens.
Our supporters give their time, treasure and talent, and they give us their expertise. While we have ideas, they are the ones that lift us up and give us the ability to make it happen. They have believed in us and in our vision, and most importantly in our students and their lives. We continue to exist because of our community, we can’t do it without all the players, all of the partners. At FareStart, we mean it when we say that we were created by our community.
Mission Moment: Ezra
What will you miss? Fridays! I’ll miss graduation, and hearing from our students first hand every single week how FareStart impacts their lives. I’ve always known that that’s special and unique. And that most people don’t get to experience that every week in their job. And then, I’ll miss our culture. It’s a really special place here. Everybody here makes it so. What I described that I felt when I interviewed – that magic is still here. It exists among all of our staff and our board and our students and volunteers and our donors – they create that. I know that it’s a very unique environment.
“At FareStart, we mean it when we say that we were created by our community.” What are you looking forward to in your new job? I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, board, volunteers, and students. They have a similar passion and commitment for mission that FareStart has. IslandWood is poised to grow their programs locally and nationally and I’m looking forward to working with the team on this. But most importantly, I’m looking forward to learning new things and continuing to grow as a person – a new chapter of learning and stretching myself and my thinking. It’s exciting – and scary as well! Other thoughts on her departure: I’m excited but also really feel as if I’m ripping a limb off. I’ve enjoyed the relationships built over the last 18 year the most – everything we do is about relationships. Whether with students, volunteers, staff supporters, I’ll miss the people that I feel like I’ve grown up with over the years – even though I might see them maybe two or three times a year, maybe at Guest Chef Night, those are longtime relationships. FareStart is my community, I grew up with them. But I definitely won’t be a stranger – a part of my heart will still be with FareStart.
Ezra entered FareStart’s Youth Barista Program in fall of 2016, a teen who was unstably housed and with limited job experience, having worked previously as a dishwasher. Ezra saw this program as a stepping stone toward working on education and figuring out what the next stage of life looked like for him. Ezra overcame many challenges while in barista, and each week received feedback on maintaining a professional attitude toward staff and acquaintances. When asked what he felt his biggest areas of growth have been since he started the barista program, his response was, “I’ve really learned how to talk to people and improve my professionalism. I’m now able to carefully analyze situations, and am also more careful about being impulsive.” With the assistance of staff, Ezra was ready to make the college dream a reality. He used his newly learned barista skills to land a job at a Seattle Central College coffee stand after graduating from the program. Fast forward a year and Ezra is now in his first year of college. He has been able to balance school while also remaining dedicated to a job with the Mockingbird Society. He is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science, and would like to go to law school. His next step – applying for an internship in Washington D.C. We are so proud of you, Ezra!
Circle of Impact Newsletter - Volume 6 Issue 1 | 3