Beginning Again

YOU PROVIDE A CHANCE TO BEGIN AGAIN.

When Allen joined One80 Place Training (our culinary employment program), he already had an understanding and love for cooking, but was looking forward to sharpening his skills. He credits the program with helping him not only learn how to become a better leader, but also a better follower. Allen said, "You can't always be in a position of authority, so sometimes you have to learn how to take direction and be okay with executing what you're being told." One80 Place Training Director, Angie Dupree, said that Allen is one of the quickest learners and most impressive students that has come through the culinary program. After graduating the program, Allen was quickly offered a job. However, when COVID-19 struck the Charleston food and beverage industry, he lost it just as quickly. So when we needed more cooks in the Community Kitchen, our team knew just who to call.

Allen has been vital to One80 Place’s COVID-19 response plan. He has been working hard providing meals to all our shelter clients while they work on getting housing. Since March 2020, 50 clients have moved out of the shelter and into housing.

When asked why One80 Place is important, Allen said,

For me personally, it's been that refuge where you can turn to - the staff, the programs, the opportunities. Honestly, I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for One80, so that says it all. It's just somewhere you can go to and you're not going to be turned away.

-Allen