Next Step Kitchen is a partnership of St. Luke's Shelter and St. Luke's United Methodist Church that will provide job training in Ward 3 for homeless people. The program will offer several courses each year with the goal of producing between confident and skilled graduates each year ready to enter the culinary industry.

What will be the hours of operation? Class will be held Monday-Friday from 8 am - 4 p.m. Students will not be allowed to remain on church property when class is not in session.

Where will the classes be held? Classes will be held in the St. Luke's kitchen, on the basement level of the building. Administrative space also will be on the basement level. The Kitchen will prepare occasional community meals to be served in the church's Fellowship Hall. Students will enter and exit the building by the east parking lot basement door. Breaks will be taken only in the vicinity of the Kitchen entrance.

How will students be selected? Students at Next Step Kitchen will come into the program strictly through referral from the Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place. Students will be referred only if they give evidence of intending to turn their lives around: they must be drug and alcohol-free, in a stabilized living environment, receiving any medical care they need, and under the active supervision of a Friendship Place caseworker. Although every effort will be made to retain those who are selected for the program, students who cannot abide by these rules will be asked to leave.

What kind of supervision will there be? Students will be overseen by a staff of two full-time and one-part time supervisors: the Director of Training (full-time) is responsible for overall supervision, recruitment, retention and job placement of our students, while the Training Chef is responsible for the day-to-day activities in the Kitchen. The part-time Coordinator of Events and Volunteers is responsible for organizing volunteers and community events such as dinners, teas and lunches that will utilize the skills of our students in our community.

What will students learn? In a 12-week session, students will learn the basics of job skills such as behavior, appearance, timeliness and attention to detail. They will learn how to work cooperatively and how to organize tasks. They will learn basic kitchen skills, such as safe food handling and preparation, grilling, baking, plate preparation, etc. And they will learn how to apply for restaurant jobs and how to succeed once they begin work.

How is the program financed? Next Step Kitchen will be supported largely through charitable funding from foundations and other sources, as well as through in-kind donations of food and equipment. Volunteer time and skills are always appreciated! Start-up costs for the program include kitchen appliances, office equipment and a van. Ongoing costs will be primarily for staffing, with operational costs kept to a minimum.

What is the governance of the Kitchen? There will be a working Board consisting of members of the St. Luke's Shelter Steering Committee, St. Luke's United Methodist Church and representatives of the Glover Park and Massachusetts Avenue Heights Citizens associations. The Board will meet monthly.

How can I help? Next Step Kitchen's initial needs include volunteers to follow up with calls, help distributing information in the community and the creation of a Web site. Long-term needs include picking up or delivering food and help with phone calls or mailings. You can always volunteer your time or expertise to help out! For more information, contact the church at 202-333-4949.