CoreCivic is dedicated to helping individuals in our care find opportunities to develop life and career skills to better prepare themselves for success upon release. At CoreCivic's Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, Ohio, residents can participate in a culinary career training program to build marketable skills for in-demand jobs.

The culinary career training program launched at Lake Erie in 2021, becoming the first of its kind in the country. Led by Chef Jason Andro, students in this 6-month program are taught food chemistry, advanced recipes, food preparation, and more. Students get the opportunity to prepare and serve dishes, and the program concludes with a written test and an in-person practical demonstration of learned skills.

Through the program, students earn four industry-recognized certifications including management level servicing, a nutrition certification and more.

"I can't say enough good things about it, I do believe that it is the best program," said Chef Andro "Many of the residents here come from broken homes where families were not cooking together, so, at the very least, learning these skills gives them an opportunity to connect with their families, cook with their kids, and pass on the knowledge."

For the participants, the program offers more than culinary training. One said the experience has opened doors and given him new opportunities to serve and take pride in his work.

“It gives me more purpose. It is something that I look forward to every day,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of making the most of his time while in the facility and learning skills that can support him upon reentry.

“I’m here for a temporary stay, and I would like to make the most that I can out of it. It really helped me learn something.”

For participants, the skills learned in the kitchen can extend far beyond the facility, building confidence, creating opportunities and providing a strong foundation for a brighter future.