New Leaf Kitchen & Café
NEW LOCATION!
Make an Impact at New Leaf
New Leaf Kitchen & Café is a trauma-informed, free culinary job training program, designed to help low-income individuals with barriers to traditional employment gain the professional skills and confidence necessary for economic self-sufficiency.
New Leaf Kitchen provides job training in the food services industry with a hands-on 10-12 week program offered in a fast-paced commercial kitchen.
New Leaf Café is a separate 6-10 week barista training program at our two full service Café locations. Every trainee gains full espresso knowledge training, retail sales and food industry experience. Pop in for a seasonal drink, scratch-made baked good, or sandwich at either the downtown Central Library Café at 906 W Main or the Central YWCA/YMCA Café at 930 N Monroe St.
Agency-wide job readiness support is also provided. Participants work with our Vocational Specialist to help them create a resume, practice interview skills, and become prepared for entering a professional work environment. In 2021, 24 women enrolled in the 2 job training programs and 8 graduates obtained employment after completion.
Helping Women Succeed Through Training in Food Services
As a social enterprise small business, New Leaf Kitchen and Café uses market-based strategies to advance social good.
In Spokane, nearly 30% of female-headed households live in poverty; our focus on training low-income
women ensures that more moms are able to gain employment and to achieve stability and self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.
As a program of Transitions, New Leaf is also uniquely positioned to help families with the other primary obstacles to achieving and maintaining economic stability, including affordable childcare and housing support.
