Drive Change

Drive Change Drive Change is reimagining opportunity for justice-impacted young adults through careers in food and hospitality.

We provide paid culinary training, mission-driven catering, and career pathways that build brighter futures.

Last week, our team had the chance to connect with other teaching kitchens and hospitality non-profits at the Catalyst K...
08/19/2026

Last week, our team had the chance to connect with other teaching kitchens and hospitality non-profits at the Catalyst Kitchens Northeast Regional Summit! 👨🏾‍🍳💚

We are grateful for the chance to share more about our Fellowship program in a room full of big players in this field, while showcasing our work by providing lunch prepared by our alumni and the Drive Change Foods team.

From creating career pathways for vulnerable populations through the hospitality industry, to feeding communities in need with innovative models that reduce food waste, address medical needs, and more. We are honored to have learned from other organizations in this space, both in NYC and beyond, and inspired by their work.

Thank you to Catalyst Kitchens and Brownsville Community Culinary Center for bringing us all together and energizing us to continue this work with care and purpose! 🙌🏾

Join us on Sunday, September 13th for Union Square Cafe 's annual ALL IN event! All proceeds from this event benefit Dri...
08/19/2026

Join us on Sunday, September 13th for Union Square Cafe 's annual ALL IN event! All proceeds from this event benefit Drive Change, as well as our friends at Emma’s Torch and Food Education Fund. 💚

Your ticket will get you delicious bites from some incredible NYC restaurants, an open bar with specialty cocktails, and great music. Come celebrate with us for the afternoon while supporting the work helping to shape the food & hospitality industry in NYC. There are also wonderful prizes you can bid on in the silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the organization.

📍 Union Square Cafe
📅 Sunday, September 13th
⏰ 3–7 PM

GET TICKETS ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4fYSTVR

Happy Black Business Month! 🖤🍽️We’re proud to spotlight some of the incredible Black-owned restaurants and food business...
08/17/2026

Happy Black Business Month! 🖤🍽️

We’re proud to spotlight some of the incredible Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in our community that partner with Drive Change.

By opening their kitchens to our fellows, our partners provide them with the opportunity to gain real-world experience, build their skills, and lay down roots within the industry. That support extends far beyond externships into letters of recommendation, mentorship, and hiring our fellows full time.

Swipe through to see some of our some of our Black-owned employer partners across the city, and go show them some love! 💚

Are you interested in becoming a partner and helping create hospitality career pathways for our fellows? Click the link in our bio to learn more.

With our 20th cohort starting this week, donating $10 a month will provide one fellow with their uniform for their time ...
08/12/2026

With our 20th cohort starting this week, donating $10 a month will provide one fellow with their uniform for their time with us. 💚

Monthly giving is essential for our organization to plan ahead, respond to the needs of our fellows, and continue creating opportunities for justice-involved young adults across New York City.

Join “Behind the Apron” ⬇️
https://drivechangenyc.org/how-to-support

Black youth continue to be disproportionately impacted by the legal system compared to their peers, leading to barriers ...
08/11/2026

Black youth continue to be disproportionately impacted by the legal system compared to their peers, leading to barriers that can prevent them from stability long after their system-involvement.

At Drive Change, we work to break that cycle by investing directly in young adults through paid culinary training, career pathways, social support.

This work isn’t possible without the generosity, leadership, and advocacy of those in the Black community. From individual donors, to Black-led foundations, to Black-led organizations — our community pours into us, which allows us to pour into the young people we serve.

To celebrate Black Philanthropy Month, we encourage supporting some of our dear friends in this work with us: Brooklyn Org, The BRO Experience, and Brownsville Comunity Culinary Center 💚

08/05/2026

Watch till the end for some good advice from our newest alumni Lou 👨🏾‍🍳

Congratulations Lou!

Kim DiPalo, our Chief Operating Officer, is transitioning out of Drive Change after 7.5 years of relentless hard work, i...
08/04/2026

Kim DiPalo, our Chief Operating Officer, is transitioning out of Drive Change after 7.5 years of relentless hard work, infectious laughter, service to others, and innovation that drove our growth.

It is impossible for us to put into words the impact Kim has had on Drive Change since joining us in 2019. With Kim’s leadership and care:

-Our Fellowship grew from serving 8 young people annually to 60 (!!)

-We built out a brand new space for our young people to learn

-We launched our first ever strategic plan

-100s of young people’s lives have been changed, and so much more...

After everything, thank you does not feel like enough. We are indebted to your selflessness, work ethic, and fierce stewardship of this organization and the people we serve.

We cannot wait to see what you do next, and the impact you will continue to leave on this world!

We appreciate you, Kim!

The Dream Team. 👨🏾‍🍳By hiring Drive Change Foods to cater your next event, you'll be bringing great food and even great...
07/30/2026

The Dream Team. 👨🏾‍🍳

By hiring Drive Change Foods to cater your next event, you'll be bringing great food and even greater impact to your table. 💚

Submit an inquiry for us to cater your next event. ⬇️
https://drivechangenyc.org/drive-change-foods-program

07/20/2026

Safe to say our Spring Cohort has a lot to be proud of. 💚 👏🏾

Congratulations to our recent graduates, we can't wait to see what is next for you!

Learn more about our Fellowship Program ⬇️
https://drivechangenyc.org/training-2

Address

630 Flushing Avenue, Mailbox #25
New York, NY
11206

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