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No one is hungry, employment barriers are dismantled, and every individual has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

Culinary JobTraining
Work Options’ job training and support program helps students learn job-ready skills and gain confidence. We work in partnership with students to help each to resolve their individual barriers to sustainable employment. We incorporate hands-on learning so students can practice the skills they have learned in real-world situations. Our job training and support program offers:

Culinary Skills Training

Chef Instructors provide technical training in areas such as: knife skills, culinary techniques, kitchen terminology, kitchen math and how to operate, clean, and sanitize kitchen equipment.

Students practice their culinary skills in our busy commercial kitchens, guided by a team of highly-skilled professional chefs.

 

Students earn industry-recognized credentials, such as the ServSafe Food Handler’s certificate, Restaurant Ready certificates from the National Restaurant Association, and a Certificate of Completion after maintaining employment for 90 days.

Support Services

We help students identify and build upon their individual strengths and interests. Students work with an Employment Specialist on basic needs like obtaining needed ID or transportation assistance. We can assist students in developing childcare solutions, provide referrals for physical or behavioral health needs, and provide assistance in locating appropriate housing resources ; we also offer one-on-one employability coaching and guidance. Our Employment Specialist can make referrals to community-based therapy, as needed, and can help students with safety planning in domestic and/or intimate-partner violence situations.

In addition to our culinary training, we offer short-term cognitive-behavioral group therapy classes to help students learn better coping skills and strategies for how to handle difficult situations. We also offer financial management classes to help students make the most of their earning when they become employed.

We offer a range of classes to help students understand employer expectations and build valuable workplace skills, such as conflict resolution, time management, and teamwork.

Employment Search

We help students develop and personalize their resume, learn how to search for appropriate employment opportunities and complete online applications. We also help students practice for employment interviews, complete supplemental employment documents, and offer individualized job search and matching support.

Post-Graduation Support

We check-in with graduates regularly for the first year after training completion. Program graduates have access to lifelong follow-up support and they are encouraged to contact Work Options at any time for additional support or to renew their certifications.

Paid Apprenticeship Opportunities

Interested program graduates can apply for Work Options paid Apprenticeship program. Apprentices earn a paycheck and experience to add to their resume while fulfilling the educational requirements of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Line Cook Apprenticeship. Apprenticeship students will find employment with one of our Employer Partners, where they will complete their Apprenticeship training and start their careers with industry-recognized credentials.

FoodInitative

No one is hungry, employment barriers are dismantled, and every individual has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

Annual Food Provision Outcomes

  • 100,000's fully prepared, nourishing meals were delivered to residents of Colorado Villages Micro Communities at the Monroe and Steele sites, providing three meals per day to individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

  • 250 students who are food insecure, 2250 meals included with culinary job training.

  • Thanksgiving community meal, serving neighbors including Denver Public Schools, low income seniors and families. 

OurMission

We nourish communities by using food as a force for good, feeding those facing hunger and training individuals from historically excluded backgrounds to build stable, purpose-driven culinary and hospitality careers.

Recognizing its unique position to respond, Work Options leveraged its trained culinary students, commercial kitchen, and strong community partnerships to transform into a permanent, year-round food access program.
Work Options provides more than 100,000s nourishing meals each year to community members facing food insecurity. Through large-scale meal production in its commercial teaching kitchen, the organization simultaneously delivers culinary and hospitality training and employment services to over 220 individuals annually. By placing food access at the center of its work, Work Options not only meets urgent community needs but also creates pathways to stable employment, restores dignity and purpose for justice–system–impacted participants, and strengthens long-term community resilience.
As communities navigate political instability and economic uncertainty, many individuals and families continue to face significant financial hardship, and food insecurity remains persistently high. In response, Work Options evolved its mission to reflect the growing need for food access alongside workforce development, making food provision a core pillar of its work in 2025.

OurSocial Enterprises

Work Options operates The Helping Hen food truck and The Helping Hen Cafe, located on the Mosaic Community Campus in Denver. Our Pre-Apprenticeship students gain work experience and practice their skills while working at our social enterprises. Visit The Helping Hen Cafe at 1895 Quebec St. for breakfast and lunch Monday – Friday.

We also offer catering! Your next event can make a difference by ordering from Work Options. Fully customizable catering options available. Click the button below to inquire.

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