Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/398704
F a l l 2 0 1 4 I V a n c o u v e r F o u n d a t i o n l p a g e 1 1 Besides learning the basics of cooking, sanitation and knife skills, the students cook a daily meal for the hundred or so residents of Pacific Coast Apartments, a supportive housing site managed by Coast Mental Health. Willan and a few others often stay afterwards, volunteering their personal time to serve the meal. "is building houses many people that struggle with mental health issues and a lot of them are my peers who I've worked with before. I know all their faces, I can say hi to them – it's just another way to support my com- munity," Willan says, adding, "e residents have been coming to us and telling us how awesome the food is, which is great. We brought the level up." Early on, one of the biggest challenges for the program was atten- dance – a huge factor for a group that may have medical or other life issues that make getting to class on time difficult. "e majority of them were late, missing days, leaving early, things like that. But once they started to settle in and realize that we're supporting them in the long run, attendance has been unbelievable," says Payne. Now, near the end of the program, most students arrive half an hour early to have breakfast together and chat. "It's been incredible to watch the growth, just being able to watch them have that connection and make those friendships and feel confident," Schonfeld says. at sense of support and community is something Willan feels strongly as well. "Since we've been working together, we've all become good friends. It's like a little family now," she says. "It's built a lot more of a routine. It's really been beneficial to me, to get me motivated. I want to wake up and come here every day." She feels similarly about the social enterprise café, which opened September 24. It's a low-cost grab-and-go option with seating for 12, serving the downtown lunch rush between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a menu based on the successful Broadway VCC campus café's offerings. With its cheerful green walls, spacious kitchen area and shining new stainless steel appliances, the café gives the students another opportunity to learn, shine and earn a living – shifts here are paid, just like any other job. In addition to providing Willan with a job to transition into, the program has opened doors that she'd never before dreamed of. e pride in her voice is palpable as she reveals her plan to complete the culinary diploma program as a full-time student at VCC and the steps towards this goal she's taking right now. "It's so exciting. I would have never thought that I could do this," she says. "A couple years ago, I would have never even thought that this would be an option for me." To support innovative community projects like the Culinary Skills Training Program at Café 335, call Kristin in Development & Donor Services at Vancouver Foundation at 604.629.5186, or visit vancouverfoundation.ca/give Culinary Skills Training Program participant AJ Willan is learning the technical skills and building up the confidence to launch her culinary career.