Five York County Jail residents graduate from food service training program
ALFRED, Maine – Five men who currently reside at York County Jail took advantage of an educational opportunity during their stay that has been demonstrated to result in employment opportunities after release.
The men, all who volunteer in the York County Jail kitchen, have used their time to enroll in IN2WORK, a program of Aramark, that in the company’s words, “delivers training, certification, internships, and scholarships to graduates.”
Aramark is contracted to provide meal services at the jail. The Philadelphia-based company employs local staff, augmented by the volunteer trustee jail residents.
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, there was a graduation ceremony at the jail for the men, who all earned certificates as ServSafe Managers – and were awarded a white chef’s coat to mark the occasion.
“It’s a great opportunity, and will help me find employment when I get back into society,” said graduate Andrew Hanson. He said he’s had prior restaurant experience but the certification, which comes through the National Restaurant Association, is a plus that he can take back to the restaurant industry or other food service position.
Jeremy Griffin said he liked the program – and the $2,500 scholarship it offers graduates to help them further their education elsewhere, once released. “It’s been a good opportunity. I learned a lot,” Griffin said.
IN2WORK program manager Belinda Peterson said the scholarship is good for a 2 year or 4 year program of the recipient’s choice, and noted resident’s family members are also eligible for the same scholarship.
“You worked hard,” Peterson told the graduates, who studied for certification after their daily stint in the jail kitchen.
Bob Love, Aramark’s district manager at York County Jail, said he’s seen the quality of the work the five do in the kitchen.
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These men are all instrumental,” in making sure those incarcerated get their meals, Love said.
“You should be very proud,” of the work it took to complete the certification, said Aramark eastern region vice president Bob Barr. He noted that about 280 IN2WORK graduates work for Aramark in educational facilities, hospitals. corporate dining rooms, correctional facilities and in other locations – and that these graduates could as well.
“It’s difficult to be in jail,” said York County Sheriff William L. King. who recognized the men for their work ethic, noted their volunteerism results in cost savings for the facility, and thanked them for taking advantage of the program. “You are all up and going to work (in the kitchen) every single day, and that signifies that your time here is being utilized for a positive purpose.”
“I love to see what can happen when you apply yourself,” York County Jail Chaplain Trent Boyd told the five graduates. “I’m so glad you were able to complete this course.”
Graduate Alexander Murray, like some of the others, said he’d also had prior restaurant experience but had never before been offered the ServSafe certification training.
“You can better your life,” through such programs, Murray said.
Graduating along with Murray, Griffin, and Hanson were Donald Stewart and David Gibson.
“You each have value,” Peterson told the graduates. “Don’t stop; go forward.”
Five York County Jail residents who volunteer their time in the jail kitchen recently graduated from a new program designed to hone their food service skills as they prepare for life once released. The IN2WORK program, an initiative of jail food services contractor Aramark, also provides a $2,500 scholarship to help graduates further their education. Each graduate received the National Restaurant Association manager’s certificate in ServSafe. Pausing for a photo were York County Sheriff William L. King, Aramark vice president Bob Barr, graduates Alexander Murray, David Gibson, Jeremy Griffin, Andrew Hanson and Donald Stewart, Aramark executive chef Andy Bain, Aramark district manager Bob Love, and in the front, Aramark employee Molly O’Connor and IN2WORK program manager Belinda Peterson.
IN2WORK program manager Belinda Peterson presents a National Restaurant Association ServSafe Manager’s certificate to York County Jail resident and program graduate Donald Stewart at ceremonies at the jail Sept. 25. Stewart was among five graduates of the program, all of whom volunteer their time helping prepare meals in the jail kitchen. IN2WORK is an initiative of Aramark, the jail’s food service provider. Graduates are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship to further their education upon their release.