Lutheran Services Society
Springboard Kitchens

.Description:  This investment will provide food-service employment and life skills training to 72 homeless and/or hard-to-employ adults supplemented by housing assistance and case management services.    

The Program Serves a Population with Great Needs:
Program participants are: 91% African American, 79% male, 74% with criminal backgrounds, 47% with diagnosed mental heath issues, and 59% homeless or temporarily homeless.  The program serves the Greater Pittsburgh area and currently has a waiting list.

The Program Achieves Measurable Results:
The program is based on the Fare Start model, originated 20 years ago in Seattle, which has been replicated in 25 sites across the country.  During its first year of operation in Pittsburgh, Springboard Kitchen’s job placement and retention rates Springboard Kitchens surpassed industry standards and the benchmarks established by its peers in replicating the Fare Start model.   

The Program Applies a Sound Approach:  The program is a 4-month food-service employment and life skills training program. Students graduate with food safety and food handlers’ permits and receive 12 months of additional job placement and job retention services after training ends. The program also includes case management, housing, and wrap-around support services.  It offers contracted catering services to area nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. This approach is unique since each contract or catering event functions as both revenue for the program and a basis for student training.   Further, because meals are made from scratch and include fresh fruits and vegetables for training purposes, the clients (which include schools, homeless shelters and correctional facilities) benefit from having access to more nutritious meals.

 Alignment with Preferred Outcomes and Likelihood of Community Change:

• 78% individuals will be able to complete training and secure employment
• 80% of individuals will be able to maintain employment for 6 months

Community Outcomes:  The program offers a sustainable and market-based solution to the connected problems of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness.  It has the potential to refine the existing model for future replication nationally as well as to expand significantly in the Pittsburgh region.  Approximately 47% of program costs are currently covered by contract revenues.  This trend is expected to continue to grow in coming years, with a goal of program self sufficiency.