Click here for the program timeline.

Meet our clients … in their own words.

Don’t miss: A Graduates’ Success!

 

How It Works

  • Potentially serving 120 men and women at full capacity each year
  • Offering 12 weeks of Hands On training in all aspects of our operations
  • Meeting certification requirements that can double wage-earning potential
  • Improving employability for those with barriers to full-time employment
  • Developing individual ability to reach self-sufficiency
  • Applying lessons from our On Track life skills curriculum

 

Forklift Certification Course

FoodWorks offers a forklift certification course to any interested individuals outside of our program. Please read more about the course or contact us with any questions. To participate, please submit the FoodWorks Forklift Certification Course registration form with payment.

Hands On

Hands On

There’s all kinds of value in an honest day’s work- and that’s the most important life lesson for those who roll up their sleeves and raise up their skills through on-the-job vocational training. By their own hard work, each one realizes the potential to earn not only wages, but also self-confidence and respect.

As of 2009, FoodWorks Colorado occupies a 48,000 square-foot facility with a cannery and packaging plant. Here, we have a tremendous opportunity to offer Hands On training and mentoring, complemented by the On Track life skills curriculum.

A Can-do Spirit of Compassion

We offer training in the same spirit of compassion that has compelled us for more than 30 years to provide food for the hungry.

Through referrals from human service agencies, we can enroll men and women living in transition who are on the journey of recovery and rehabilitation. When they come to us, they’re ready for a second chance in work and life by participating in a 12-week rotation in every aspect of our operations.

From Soup … to Nuts and Bolts

The hands-on training is focused to three distinct areas: Facility and Grounds Maintenance; Production and Packaging; and Warehousing.

Clients receive hands-on training in a wealth of transferrable job skills, including process manufacturing, record keeping, inventory management, quality control, packaging, customer service, distribution and more.

In addition, they are trained in and meet the requirements for industry-standard certification on all types of forklifts, which, alone, can double their wage-earning capacity.

As they progress through the program they are elevated to Team Lead status where they have greater responsibility in all aspects of our operations, as well as serve as the primary attendant at the will-call sales window interacting with customers and fulfilling orders.

Clients gain qualifications to help them land jobs in a variety of industry sectors, including food and beverage processing, food and beverage services, manufacturing, warehousing, grocery, retail, customer service, shipping, transportation and others.

With the faithful support of donors like you, we deliver the “works” to fulfill our mission.

FoodWorks for Clayton

I feel very blessed to be a part of the FoodWorks vocational training program.

Because of the way the program is structured, every couple of weeks I’m doing something new and learning all kinds of job skills that I’ll be able to use in a full-time employment position once I graduate.

From starting out at the basic level and cleaning the entire facility, I’ve progressed to dealing with customers and managing the packaging process. Soon, I’ll be certified to operate a forklift and regularly do all the tasks in the program.

Most important, I’m learning how to deal with issues on the job in a healthy way rather than turning to my old habits using meth to escape whatever issue I encounter.

I have a new outlook on my life and what the future holds for me down the road. One day, I hope to be able to give back to others who find themselves in a similar situation to mine.

Clayton
Denver, Colorado

Based on the experience of a Hands On vocational training client at FoodWorks Colorado, the name has been changed to respect privacy. Meet more of our clients here.

Explore our other programs: