Support our CPA Culinary Training Program!

Now in its second year, the program will prepare 12 people each year---who are seeking a second chance--for careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industries. After completing pre-training at Billings Forge Community Works, each person gains 10 weeks of structured, on-the-job experience while working at Zest 280, a mission-based eatery. The trainees have an opportunity to learn all aspects of operating a restaurant.

This is a unique collaboration between CPA's STARR Training to Work Program, ZEST 280 and Billings Forge Works; 100% of the eatery’s profits---and your donations---go back into culinary training. Zest 280 is located at 280 Park St in West Hartford, CT.

Help CPA win Brackets for Good! Donate today!

When you first meet Vivian, you can’t help but love her friendly personality and appreciation for the little things in life. We asked Vivian a few questions about her experience:
How has your life has changed?
V: In 2015 I was making money illegally. I was involved in a high speed chase with police and almost lost my life. God gave me a second chance. I’m alive, working and I got my family back. Before I was making bad choices, but now I’m making good choices. I am excited every day to go to work.
What was your favorite part of your Zest 280 training?
V: Learning how to communicate better and be social. Working legally, I felt a sense of pride in making my own money and being able to pay my bills.
What are your goals for the future?
V: Mom and I want to open a Hispanic restaurant. I also want to buy a house.
Vivian now works at the Pond House Café. Due of her hard work, she was promoted to Banquet Captain! She is a great example of the positive impact of career training.

Backpack Program: When a person is released from prison, they are dropped off with only a bag of their belongings. Running a drive to collect backpacks filled with hygiene projects will give them the very basic items we take for granted, like toothpaste, socks and body wash.

Winter Coat Drive: You can launch a coat drive at your workplace, church or community group to provide outwear for our participants, the homeless and other organizations serving people in need.

Housing and Basic Needs Fund: A fundraiser will assist our participants with larger basic needs, such as 1 month of rent, a security deposit or a tuition payment.

Footwear with Care: Among the homeless, the basic needs for decent footwear and good foot care are rarely met. Footwear with Care fills this need by holding "Stuff a Cruiser" shoe drives and pop-up foot clinics for the homeless. Volunteers can help collect new and barely used shoes for men, women and children, which are distributed at the clinics.

Suggested Donations

• $10 can go towards a one week bus pass for trainees ($10.00)
• $25 will purchase one professional Chef's jacket ($25.00)
• $50 can pay for a pair of supportive, slip-resistant Chef's shoes ($50.00)

Funding Needs

Here's how you can help our CPA Culinary Training Program:

Transportation to and from Training:
$20 - 7 day bus pass
$65 - 31 day bus pass

Culinary Uniform:
$25 - 1 Chef's jacket
$50 - One pair of comfortable, supportive, slip-resistant Chef shoes

Culinary Tools:
$200 - 1 set of professional student knives

Training:10 week training cycle --- Three people/training cycle ---12 trainees/year

$ 350 - 1 week training stipend/person
$ 1,100 - 1 week of training stipends/class cycle
$ 3,500 - 1 complete cycle of training stipends/person
$10,500 - 1 complete cycle of training stipends/class cycle