When we first met Rosita, she was caring for her three children, including one child who is deaf. She had no support from family and didn’t have a network of friends or resources to rely on. But she did have determination and knew change would only come if she took the first step. That step was enrolling in our Culinary Arts Training Program – and nothing was going to stop her.
Throughout the 15-week program, Rosita balanced childcare, classwork, and life’s daily challenges—without complaining and without excuses. Along the way, she found a new kind of family at Cathedral Kitchen. A family that could offer her support. With guidance from Chef Nai and Employment Training Coordinator Ja’Net, Rosita discovered her strength and also her worth, not just as a culinary professional, but as a mother and a woman rebuilding her life.
Rosita graduated at the top of her class and was awarded CK’s prestigious Chef Jonathan Jernigan Apprenticeship. Her talent and work ethic quickly earned her a position at Sodexo’s kitchen inside Campbell’s global headquarters in Camden. Within six months, she was promoted to Lead Cook at Maggie’s Place, the newly opened bistro on site.
“I used to drive past that building and think it was out of reach. If someone told me I’d be working there, I would’ve said, ‘No way!’ But here I am!”
Rosita’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, hope, and hard work. She turned adversity into fuel and used it to build a better future for herself and her children. She returned to CK in August to give the the keynote speech at graduation. Her powerful message says it all:
“Graduating doesn’t just mean a certificate. This opportunity is truly a second chance. Cathedral Kitchen was my gateway, but I had to do the work. So when you walk out of here today, remember, it’s not the end, it’s the beginning. Keep pushing. Keep rising. Take yourself seriously—even if no one else does. Because you are worth it.”
We’re so proud of Rosita and all our graduates!
