La Cocina Va

We serve low-income individuals from underserved populations in the Greater Washington Area. 90% of our clients are immigrant women struggling with situations of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and severe financial insecurity.  

Five years ago Karina Herrera didn’t know where to turn...  How to take care of her three young children, how to feed and support them, to manage on her own.  How to break free from of a very troubled marriage in a new country and culture she didn’t understand.  

“I couldn’t drive, couldn’t have friends, couldn’t work, I didn’t have a connection to anything... Kept at home, caught in a life of violence and despair ... And the economic manipulation was really difficult... Would he give me enough to care for the children?  I felt so desperate, almost numb... How would we ever make it?”

But today Karina’s world has totally changed.  She is on her own, supporting her children and at long last, financially independent. “It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I now have control over my life, and a safe place for my children.” 

A year ago, Karina was referred to La Cocina VA where she participated in an intense, full-time 13-week job-training program for careers in the food and hospitality industry.  

“To have a bilingual program like this has meant a lot to me, it’s given me a diploma, certificate, a license to work and the culinary skills ... The training was like in the military, if you can do this, then you can do more.  I discovered I’ll keep growing and fighting... 

through La Cocina VA, I was able to secure a job that provided the security my family needed.” 

La Cocina VA has developed a broad network of partners in the food industry. Through Karina’s placements for on-the-job mentoring and an internship experience, she was connected to the Hyatt Regency.  She now works in Hyatt’s restaurant in DC as a Second Cook. She’s making $22/hr, with health insurance for her family, and is on her way to advancing her career in the culinary arts. 

With the support of Hyatt, Karina is continuing English classes and plans to enroll in NOVA community college for further culinary studies towards ultimately becoming a Chef.  “I feel really motivated to keep growing because I’ve seen the importance of continuing to study, to move beyond where you are, and to be a professional.  I know that I can achieve it.” 

La Cocina VA  generates social and economic change helping vulnerable individuals to create a career and to open businesses within the foodservice and hospitality industries, while also facilitating access to healthy and nutritious food for our neighbors in need.