Building Community. Developing Skills. Enriching Lives.

CHEFSConquering Homelessness Through

Employment in Food Services

705 Natoma Street, San Francisco, CA 94103(415) 487-3300 x1107 or x6115

www.ecs-sf.org

When Bettina’s mother died, she lost her support systems. She also lost her job, and she became homeless. Bettina recalls, “CHEFS was there at a crucial time for me. They were like family to me. They gave me connections, advice, and support. They helped me to believe in myself again.”

Bettina interned at the famed Sir Francis Drake Hotel, working in its Scala Bistro and banquet rooms. “I would say to myself, ‘I’m the luckiest person, here among the professionals.’ And I have CHEFS to thank for that!”

Bettina worked hard and was continually rated #1 Chef by her next employer, Party Staff, which contracts for companies like Google, Pixel, and Adobe. Because of Bettina’s skills and enthusiasm, she was recruited to work in Thailand, helping to upscale a resort restaurant by revamping their Western menu. When Bettina returned to San Francisco, she scored another “first”, this time with the prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club, where she was hired as the first female chef in the club’s 85-year history and where she continues to display her cre-ative culinary talents.

Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco (ECS) helps homeless and very low-income people every day and every night obtain the housing, jobs, shelter, and essential services that each person needs to prevent and end homelessness.

The complex nature of homelessness calls for a multi-faceted solution. Our agency was founded in 1983 to help the growing number of people living on the streets of San Francisco. Today we serve 8,000 men, women, and children through a continuum of services, including emergency shelters, supportive housing, employment and education programs, information and referrals, and senior services.

The CHEFS program relies on the generosity of individual donors to help people move out of homelessness. Please join us in making a difference in people’s lives.

ECS is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

• Donate online at www.ecs-sf.org

• Donate by phone at (415) 487-3300 x1241

• Donate by mail: Episcopal Community Services 165 Eighth Street, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94103

Bettina ‘s Story

Mission

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Next Door ShelterThe CrosbyThe ElmThe MentoneThe HillsdaleThe Rose 11

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The AlderCanon Barcus Community House & Skills CenterCanon Kip Community House, CHEFS, Senior CenterThe Sanctuary ShelterBishop Swing Community House

Professionals volunteer hundreds of hours with this outstanding program, imparting a “real” perspective of the culinary world, providing motivation and support to our students. Regular and one-time volunteer opportunities include:

• Teach a cooking class in the CHEFS kitchen• Host an intern at your restaurant• Guide students on a culinary fieldtrip• Attend CHEFS’s annual fundraiser, SummerTini

For more information, contact the CHEFS Program at (415) 487-3300 x1107 or x6115.

The CHEFS ProgramCHEFS is a 6-month program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on kitchen training, internships in institutional and restaurant settings, and job placement assistance with follow-up and retention services.

Course OverviewPhase I: Culinary Foundations (2 months)• Classroom instruction

• Field trips (farmer’s market, private kitchen tours, etc.)

• Food handlers certificate

• Guest speakers / guest chefs

• Tasting, critiquing, palate expansion

• Kitchen sanitation / food safety

Phase II: Hands-On Kitchen Training (2 months)• Daily meal preparation and service

• Plating and presentation

• Institutional cooking, catering, baking, soups, stocks, and sauces

• Rotation through various kitchen positions and roles

• Support meal preparation in ECS shelters, Senior Center, and Adult Education Center

Phase III: Internship (2 months)Following classroom instruction, students intern for 2 months at a variety of local restaurants, hospitals, shelters, hotels, and catering businesses, including:

On average, 70% of CHEFS graduatesfind jobs.

Volunteer at CHEFS

• 1300 on Fillmore

• Betty Zlatchin Catering

• Luques Restaurant

• Butterfly Restaurant

• Custom Burger

• E & O Kitchen and Bar

• Good Pizza

• Holy Family Day Home

• Kokkari Estiatorio

• Lotta’s Bakery

• Madonna Residence

• Millennium Restaurant

• Nopa

• Raphael House

• Roots Restaurant

• Veterans Academy

• Zingari