At Ocean View reentry facility in San Diego, California, CoreCivic’s mission of successful reentry is supported through community partnerships that prepare residents for long-term stability. Kitchens for Good is a local nonprofit that believes everyone deserves to take pride in themselves and feel fulfilled in their work. With the support of staff at Ocean View, Kitchens for Good is equipping residents with the skills, certifications, and confidence to launch sustainable careers in the culinary and hospitality industry.

Kitchens for Good is a California State-Certified Culinary Arts Apprenticeship designed for individuals facing barriers to employment. Residents at Ocean View who enroll receive tuition-free, hands-on training from experienced culinary professionals. The program includes stipends during the training phase, uniforms and tools, transportation support, and a San Diego food handler’s certificate. After 360 hours of on-campus instruction, participants complete nine to 11 months of paid, on-the-job training with Kitchens for Good’s employer partners. Graduates earn a certificate of completion from the State of California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards, a credential that significantly enhances their employability and earning potential.

In the first year of partnership, nearly 20 Ocean View residents have graduated from Kitchens for Good. Some work in San Diego’s world-renowned restaurant scene, from high-profile establishments like the Hotel del Coronado to catering companies and even the SpaceX kitchen in nearby Oceanside. Others are applying their skills in bakeries and hospitality venues across the region. The program offers multiple training pathways, including fast-track food service roles, baking, and full culinary arts, to ensure that residents with different levels of experience can find the right fit for their goals.

Case managers at Ocean View facilitate residents’ participation with Kitchens for Good. They help manage transportation, maintain accountability, and stay focused on long-term plans. Staff are often invited to milestone events, including cooking demonstrations and graduation ceremonies, where culinary students showcase their new talents. These moments highlight the positive relationships built between residents and staff as well as the confidence and dignity gained from moving out of institutional routines and into professional settings.

According to Bridget Burden, facility director at Ocean View, and Ray Reynaga, the facility’s programs supervisor, the Kitchens for Good apprenticeship is just one part of a much larger support system that prepares residents for life after incarceration. Along with their staff, they oversee a reentry environment that emphasizes accountability, structure, and opportunity. Residents meet regularly with case managers to track progress on individualized plans, which may include employment, education, financial literacy, and housing goals. With these wraparound services in place, Ocean View ensures that when residents return to their communities, they do so with the tools and confidence needed to thrive.

The Ocean View partnership with Kitchens for Good demonstrates CoreCivic’s commitment to building strong foundations for successful reintegration into society. Each dish prepared represents more than technical skill; it’s a symbol of connection, dignity, and belonging. From catering events to working in San Diego’s bustling restaurants, graduates are capable of providing for themselves and their families while enriching the communities they return to. The work of Kitchens for Good and CoreCivic extends beyond reentry. It rebuilds lives and strengthens the bonds that hold society together.

At Ocean View, reentry isn’t a transition. It’s a transformation. With every meal prepared and every graduate placed into meaningful work, CoreCivic’s duty to the communities it serves is being fulfilled. Residents aren’t just learning to cook; they’re becoming part of something essential. Food sustains families, builds community, and reminds us that everyone has a place at the table, including those finding their way back through reentry.