The culinary program Ram Chefs at West Chester University has been helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn self-confidence and how to be independent through cooking, writes Raymond Strickland for CBS News Philadelphia.
Every Wednesday, 13 adults from the community learn skills such as culinary instruction, nutrition, and food safety. The program’s mission is to not only instill confidence but also build cooking skills and bolster employment opportunities.
This past Wednesday, they worked in the community garden which grows the produce they use to cook.
“When I come to the program, I get so excited to see everyone. We have so much fun,” said participant Olivia Riehl.
But Ram Chefs is more than just cooking and gardening. It also helps these young adults develop social skills that will be part of them their whole lives with each other. West Chester University students who assist as guides in the program feel the relationships they’ve built together are beneficial and long-lasting.
“It makes me feel great and I just want them to know they are always going to be capable of doing something,” said volunteer Ella Messner.
Read more about Ram Chefs and how it’s helping young adults at CBS News Philadelphia.
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