Life's Kitchen

Life’s Kitchen is dedicated to transforming the lives of young adults by building self-sufficiency and independence through comprehensive food service and life skills training, placement in the foodservice industry, and continuing education.

During their time at Life’s Kitchen, trainees pass through a three-phase competency program, gaining expertise in areas such as knife cutting techniques and culinary theory. The program provides them with both practical cooking experience and a high-quality food service curriculum. 

In addition to their foodservice training, trainees attend weekly life skills classes that provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to become self-sufficient. Local banks deliver financial literacy training, teaching trainees how to open checking and savings accounts, develop a personal budget, and manage their credit. Local health clinics present workshops on accessing health care and enrolling in health coverage, The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provides classes on healthy relationship skills, and local attorneys provide classes on the rights and responsibilities of renters. 

Trainees who did not complete high school have access to GED tutoring and test-taking support. All tutoring and supplies are free for trainees, and the program also covers the cost of the GED test. We also assist trainees who wish to re-enroll in high school or who are considering enrolling in higher education.

During their time at Life’s Kitchen, trainees receive instruction on developing a professional resume and cover letter. Volunteers from local businesses conduct mock job interviews with the trainees to help them practice interview skills. We also provide trainees with employability readiness classes on topics such as appropriate workplace behavior and effective communication. 

Each trainee works with our Program Director to identify their career interests, develop employment goals, and begin their job search.  As they near the end of the program, trainees are placed in a short internship at a local restaurant or foodservice facility. These internships are individualized based on each trainee’s employment goals and interests and often lead to a job offer.

Trainees also have the opportunity to support others. As a component of the foodservice program, trainees have the chance to help feed community members in need through the Life's Kitchen Charitable Meal Project. Each year, trainees produce more than 53,000 meals for Interfaith Sanctuary and the City of Boise Pioneer Day Shelter.

While foodservice and life skills training is a large part of our program, Life's Kitchen also fosters personal character development. Our trainees develop a sense of direction and purpose in life, become resilient and self-sufficient, and gain the confidence to bounce back from adversity and reach their full potential.

Who we serve:

Life’s Kitchen serves Opportunity Youth (formally at-risk young adults) between the ages of 16 and 20 who face significant barriers to employment. More than 50% of our trainees live at or below the poverty level and 20% of them experience homelessness. Approximately 40% of our trainees have dropped out of high school and 50% have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Also, many of these young adults experience other serious challenges such as mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, domestic violence, and emotional abuse.