EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, based in Cleveland, has expanded its culinary training program to nearly every state through a tablet-based curriculum. The program, which started as a culinary class at Grafton Correctional Institution in 2011, has grown into a community hub in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, featuring a butcher shop, bakery, culinary library, student housing, and a French restaurant.

Program Overview

The digital content, available through Edovo, an educational app on prison tablets, introduces students to the fundamentals of French cooking through videos, reading assignments, and tests. Those who complete the digital course can apply to attend the in-person training program in Cleveland, with flights sponsored by the Cleveland Browns football team.

Drew Hanchett, a student who completed the program, said it gave him a good foundation in cooking and helped him develop his skills. The program’s director of reentry services, Derrick Speights, said the goal is to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the restaurant industry and reduce the likelihood of returning to prison.

Success Stories

EDWINS estimates its recidivism rate among graduates at less than 1%, compared to almost 18% of people released from Ohio prisons who return within three years for a new crime. The program’s job placement rate is around 95%, with some graduates going on to work in top restaurants in Cleveland.

The program is supported by individual donors, foundations, and capital campaigns, and does not take state or federal money. The businesses, including the butcher shop and bakery, serve a dual purpose, providing training for students and helping to keep the program financially sustainable.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.