Housed Working and Healthy (HWH) offers free culinary training to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the Denver Metro area.

Are you seeking employment?

Learn new skills for a
Chef and Culinary Arts Position!

Training >> Internship >> Employed

Employment >> Housing    

Our graduates earn $18 to $21 per hour.

Culinary Quick Start Program

We help people seeking a future!

We welcome EVERYONE!

Do you enjoy creating, hands-on activity, and eating well?  Studying culinary arts will help you expand your horizons in many ways. Not only will it help you become a professional chef, it will give you a deeper appreciation for food as culture, food as art, your health and more, all of which you can pass on to your customers through your own culinary efforts. Culinary jobs are great because they are always available in every city, are fun and exciting, and have excellent career paths.

We place graduates in exciting career positions in food service. Hiring positions are typically Cook Level 3 or 2, which is true food preparation, not fast food! These positions have starting pay rates of $18 to $21 per hour with increases possible within 12 months; flexible schedules, comprehensive benefits typically including medical, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement and other benefits; significant career advancement opportunities including supervision, food and beverage and nutrition.

Our hiring employers are large companies that value long term employees, have multiple locations locally and nationally, so movement within the organization is not only possible but encouraged. They also provide opportunities beyond direct food preparation to include dietetics, facilities management, marketing, environmental services, culinary, catering, food service management, and more. Being rewarded and recognized for a job well done brings satisfaction and encouragement. But it goes deeper than that. It’s about being a part of something much bigger – a culture that’s flexible, innovative and inclusive.

Apply to Join our Program

New Cohort Starting Now.

We offer a $50 gift card for people to visit and preview our program. They also get a wonderful breakfast and lunch – all free just for coming to check it out. Do you know or work with anyone that is ready, willing and able to start the path toward a full time career oriented employment?

Our mission is to help people return to independent living and be self-sufficient. The HWH model is partner based and encompasses housing, mental health services, workforce training and employment. This supportive structure and services helps people stabilize, develop a support network, become trained, gain experience, get a job, secure independent housing and ultimately become self-sufficient.

We welcome your interest in joining our program!

Enter the Kitchen and Cooking​ Industry where employees are in great demand !

• Starting wages from $18 – $21/hour
• Full-time positions, with Advancement opportunities
• Family friendly daytime schedules
• Full benefits, including paid vacation, sick leave, medical coverage and retirement
• Consistent and stable schedules
• Large employers with multiple locations allow transfer opportunities
• Steady and routine food preparation in low stress working environments
• Graduates typically receive 2-3 offers and choose their best option

Many of our partners are looking for employees just like you.

Program 

• Cooking training, job training, support services, job placement 
• Curriculum by Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) 
• Earn ServSafe Certificate and EGTC Course Completion 
• Learn in our 2,600 square foot commercial kitchen.
• Our recent graduates as earning at $XX-XX per hour
• And with benefits from one of our employment partners . 

To register, or for questions 

• Apply through your referring agency or fill out the form above.
• No cost to you for training and internship
• Requirements: You must be ready, willing, and able to work 
• Call us at 720-772-1715 or email us at 
• contact@housedworkingandhealthy.org 

Our Program

Our Students and Staff explain our program and how it has helped them in this short video

Our model and partners 

Our community based model brings together more than 30 partners, neighbors,  businesses, foundations, faith based and  other non-profit organizations from  across the metro area, including  Anschutz, JFS, We Don’t Waste, Awake  Denver, Dell, Kaladi, Goodwill, and more. 

80% Employed from October Graduation Class 

1,000+ Student days and counting 

Wholesale and retail food sales 

Retirement Homes

Food service within retirement homes are often run by large companies and offer fantastic food service positions. Located throughout the metro area, the commute will be short

• Depending on the specific location, food offered can be high end gourmet level more mainstream.
• Working environments can be small teams to multiple kitchens and venues with extensive scratch made meals.
• Advancement opportunities include into food and beverage positions, nutrition and supervision.

Hospitals

Hospitals have multiple kitchens and serve  large numbers of meals daily. Hospitals are located throughout the metro area so your commute can be minimized.

• Food is often fairly mainstream, with special attention made for allergens, sodium and other nutrition specific needs.
• Work environments are positive, knowing you are helping provide healing to patients.
• Advancement opportunities include transfers, nutrition and supervision.

Hospitality

Food service within hospitality represents a diverse and exciting career path in Denver, with many unique venues constantly opening.

Often run by large companies, this segment includes hotels, event centers, and resorts. Located throughout the metro area, the commute will be short.

• Food is typically cutting edge high end gourmet that will stretch and grow your culinary talents.
• Advancement opportunities include chef mentorship, food and beverage positions, and supervision.

Institutional

Institutional food service includes schools and government facilities.

Located throughout the metro area, commute times can be minimal.

• Food is generally mainstream with many facilities emphasizing scratch made meals.
• Work environments are often smaller teams. Advancement opportunities include nutrition and supervision.

Of those we served in 2020: 

• 100% were currently were experiencing
  homelessness and unemployment. 
• 82% were minorities. 
• 50% were women. 

All were just like you – wanting to improve their
skills and opportunities.

Help us help more people in 2021 and 2022

www.housedworkingandhealthy.org

(720) 772-1715‬