By developing essential life and work readiness skills, youth leave Root prepared for success in the workplace. Founded in 2017, Root is a 501(c)-3 non-profit social enterprise that uses the culinary arts as a tool for teaching workforce readiness and life skills to low-income youth in Essex County with barriers to employment. Root’s 14 week, 240-hour program of direct kitchen and classroom traini
ng helps young people transform their lives and futures through technical and experiential education in the culinary arts - leading to employment and financial self-sufficiency. Over the 14 weeks, youth participate in direct instruction and on-the-job training focused on 12 core culinary competencies, such as knife cuts, recipe management, basic sauces, leveners, kitchen safety, equipment knowledge, and more. As part of our job training program, Root operates three social enterprise arms; The Root Café, Catering by Root, and HarborPoint event space. Root's enterprises are core components to training model as they provide hands-on training experience. Root's enterprises engage youth participants in learning by doing and also provide services in demand by the local community. Revenues from these businesses also help decrease our reliance on philanthropic support.
