Located at 9315 Monroe Rd, the Community Culinary School of Charlotte is a great resource for Charlotte’s under-employed and/or homeless population. Chef Ron has been running programs like this for over 30 years and the experience shows. This amazing guy produces both good food and good people!
The program is simple. They take new students, often referred by DSS as part of their welfare work requirements and Rise to Work Program, and they put them through a 12 ~ 14 week program. When the students graduate from the program, CCSC has a job placement program that places them as line cooks earning anywhere from $19 ~ $21/hour. The program runs five days a week from 8a ~ 11a. If students miss more than 8 classes, they are asked to leave the program. Although the attrition rate is around 50%, the students who do graduate are almost assured of a living wage with enough income to afford their own housing and food.
The program is more than a class. The students provide peer support as they work their way toward independence and self-sufficiency. DSS comes by the program once a week to lend encouragement and support. And a pastor visits every Thursday.
Just one more thing. If you want a great breakfast or lunch at a reasonable price, served by people who care about you, Then duck into their dining room on Monroe Rd between 9a ~ 2p on any Monday thru Friday for a great meal and great service.
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