Opportunity Kitchen
Welcome to Opportunity Kitchen!
Columbia Ability Alliance’s Opportunity Kitchen is a 12-week vocational food training program crafted to help you find job success in food service, catering, and hospitality. Guided by an inspiring Executive Chef and a dedicated Program Specialist, you’ll gain hands-on experience at The Cafe by Opportunity Kitchen located within the Richland Federal Building in Richland, WA. We prioritize both professional and life skills development to ensure a well-rounded curriculum for our students. This program is offered at no cost to qualified candidates.
Our 12-week classes run quarterly. Opportunity Kitchen is open to individuals 18 and over facing barriers to employment, such as homelessness or unstable housing, disabilities or mental health conditions, domestic violence survivors, individuals with skill deficiencies, individuals below the poverty line, and individuals reentering the community after incarceration.
Empowering Your Culinary Journey
Sign up and join us for a 12-week learning experience where you as a student will not only acquire essential culinary skills but also benefit from comprehensive support for personal and professional growth.
What Students Receive:
- Hands-On Experience: Train and work in a fully equipped commercial kitchen, engaging in 12 weeks of practical, hands-on instruction.
- Certifications: Get your Food Handler Permits, enhancing your credibility in the food service industry.
- Job Hunting Assistance: Receive dedicated support to help you find a job after successfully graduating from our program.
- Life Skills and Coaching: Elevate both personal and professional success through tailored life skills classes and personalized coaching.
- Wraparound Support: Experience all-around growth with our wraparound support services, addressing individual needs for a well-rounded culinary journey.
Jeremiah C. (Jem) loves his job at Opportunity Kitchen.
Jem is a highly capable young man on the autism spectrum who also has learning disabilities. At Opportunity Kitchen, he has been given responsibility and is relied upon to support the kitchen team. The fulfillment he gets out of knowing that he contributes and is needed far outweighs the financial aspects of his employment. The team also understands and values him as he is. They adapt their training and instruction to match a client’s abilities and are, therefore able to develop highly motivated, loyal employees. As Jem’s guardians, knowing that he is working with a team that not only understands him but also fully embraces the person that he is gives us peace of mind.
The staff at Opportunity Kitchen have exceeded what we had hoped for in an encouraging work environment for Jem. As a family, we couldn’t be happier with Columbia Ability Alliance and our current situation. We feel very blessed that we have this type of opportunity in our area.
– Dave C., Guardian
Latest News & Stories from Opportunity Kitchen
Opportunity Kitchen celebrates 13th graduating class on February 1
Columbia Industries, a mission-based organization committed to empowering individuals with disabilities and other challenges, is thrilled to announce the upcoming graduation ceremony for the 13th
Columbia Industries celebrates three new Opportunity Kitchen graduates
Columbia Industries, a mission-based organization committed to supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities and other challenges, is celebrating its newest class of graduates from its
Congratulations to Opportunity Kitchen: Class 8!
We are so thrilled to celebrate our eighth class of graduates from our Opportunity Kitchen training program. Jella, Deelani and Mark all worked so hard
Take the First Step Towards Culinary Success!
Whether you’re passionate about food service or looking for a fresh start, contact us today to enroll in our 12-week vocational program.
No experience is necessary.
