News  East Boston BMC celebrates client’s graduation from Community Servings Program

In the photo, left to right: Graduation Day- David Waters (Chief Executive Officer), Matt McDonough (Chief Probation Officer), Allison Sequeira (Teaching Kitchen Program Manager), Erik Spitz (Chef), John (Graduate), Carla Butters (Probation Officer), John E. McDonald Jr (First Justice East Boston BMC), and Robert Cartmill (Trainee Services Specialist).

A client in the East Boston Specialty Court at the East Boston division of the Boston Municipal Court (BMC) recently completed a 12-week job training program in the Teaching Kitchen operated by the Community Servings Program which provides medically-tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals for chronically and critically ill individuals and their families. Trainees learn food preparation and cooking techniques. Participants help the culinary team prepare meals that are delivered to clients.

John, who did not wish to have his last name published, expressed pride in completing the program which was designed for people interested in careers in the food service industry and who may face barriers to employment. 

“Probation and the Community Servings program has provided me with hope! I feel so proud that I completed this program. Now I have a job and I’m on a list for housing. I know that God didn’t pick me up, just to drop me,” John said.

The Community Servings’ facility—which boasts of a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen— is a venue that provides hands-on learning experience. The Teaching Kitchen’s curriculum covers all facets of working in a professional kitchen, including food safety, knife skills, cooking techniques, and nutrition.

“While in training, John became a valued worker on the Community Servings team. The Community Servings Program recognized his dedication and have offered John further employment at the program, ”said Matt McDonough, Chief Probation Officer at the East Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court.

“We are proud of John and his completion of the program. We are also happy to collaborate with Community Servings which provides invaluable training to the individuals we supervise which helps them develop skills to make a living,” said Chief McDonough.

—Community Servings is currently accepting applications for the next Teaching Kitchen Session: November 21st – February 16th

Class hours are 9am-4pm, Monday through Thursday.  Additional internship hours are offered on Friday.

For more info, email Teaching Kitchen Program Manager, Allison Sequeira, at teachingkitchen@servings.org or call 617-522-7777 ext. 206.                                                

Community Servings, 179 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, Phone: 617.522.7777