ARTHUR CASSELL HOUSE RESIDENT CHANGES LIFE-GRADUATES FROM THE TRIAD COMMUNITY
Michael (bottom row, far right) at his Triad Community Kitchen Graduation
Michael came to Open Door Ministries’ Arthur Cassell Transitional House in August 2013 due to a drug addiction that destroyed all of his relationships and caused him to lose everything he had. While at the Arthur Cassell House, he quickly adapted to the structure of the program and utilized the tools he was taught to live a drug –free life. Within a few months of successfully changing his life, he was referred to the culinary school at the Triad Community Kitchen of Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest Food bank’s Triad Community Kitchen (TCK) Culinary training is only one of it’s kind in Northwest NC. Under the direction of Chef Jeff Bacon, a certified Executive Chef, the program offers culinary training for underemployed, unemployed and homeless individuals. Students are referred by program partners Forsyth Technical Community College and Goodwill Industries. Each graduate receives a certificate of training endorsed by Forsyth Technical Community College and certification in ServSafe sanitation. Sessions last 14 weeks and then a one week internship to help ensure students are workplace ready.
After completing the courses at the Triad Community Kitchen, Michael obtained a job at the New York Butcher Shop in Greensboro.
On Memorial Day, the Wheels4Hope organization gifted four cars to deserving veterans working to rebuild their lives. Michael was one of the recipients.
Due to the staff and programs offered by Open Door Ministries, Second Harvest Food Bank and Wheels for Hope, Michael's future looks bright. He is now employed, has an apartment and a car. And he has been reunited with his family, who are very proud of what Michael has accomplished during the time that he was at the Arthur Cassell House.