Giving Back

  Executive Chef & Owner

CHARITY:  Hope Solutions - formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing (CCIH)

WEBSITE: http://hopesolutions.org/

WHY:  I have been involved with Hope Solutions for about 13 years - first as a homework club tutor and then on the board of directors.  Hope Solutions is an amazing organization that helps homeless families, seniors and young adults with permanent housing and supportive services to help them thrive.  I have seen how they has been able to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by providing stable, permanent homes.  I work with kids who are now thriving and can live to their potential.

Front of House, Server

CHARITY:  Fred Finch Youth Center

WEBSITE:  https://fredfinch.org

WHY:  "She has what?" I've never heard of 22Q Deletion Syndrome".  These are the common responses I hear when people meet my daughter and I tell them she was born with this syndrome.  Fred Finch has been instrumental in helping her gain needed social skills and confidence.  The program provides a safe, stable and highly structured environment designed to maximize her overall level of functioning.

 Sous Chef, Bartender, Server

CHARITY:  STAND for Families Free of Domestic Violence

WEBSITE: http://www.standffov.org/

WHY:  My daughter and I are survivors of domestic violence. STAND arranged for free counseling for us as well as financial support when I was first living underground at safe houses and before I was stable enough for full-time work. I escaped the abuse and STAND continues to provide me with the domestic violence exemption that gives my daughter and me healthcare and daycare reimbursement from the state. If I would have known all the help that STAND provides women in crisis, I would have left my violent relationship much sooner.

  Sous Chef
CHARITY:  Futures Explored Inc. - ALIVE Concord/
WEBSITE: http://www.futures-explored.org/
WHY: ALIVE is my day job and my passion so it holds a special place in my heart. The mission of Futures Explored, Inc. is to provide life skills and work-related training to adults with developmental disabilities. We support our folks in reaching their optimum level of individual potential by delivering a broad range of resources and ongoing guidance. I know that I help people &  I know thats good but feel like I am the blessed one to be a part of their life. The things that they have taught me, the places they have taken me and how they have changed me. 

Bartender, Head Server

CHARITY:  Queer Life Space

WEBSITE:  http://www.queerlifespace.org/

WHY:  As a young man studying to become a mental health professional who is also a bisexual man, I find what this organization is doing for the community to be truly amazing. Mental health is often undermined in the fast paced culture we live it, but it is so important to not only each individual, but to us all as a collective community. 

  Sous Chef, Server

CHARITY:  John Muir Land Trust

WEBSITE: http://jmlt.org/

WHY:  I am a Native Californian and I love the people, the cultures, the food and most of all the places.  We have so many beautiful destinations in our golden state we need to do our part to take care of them.  John Muir Land Trust helps to keep our mountains, our trails, our waters beautiful.  As they say, everything we depend on comes from Earth.  Some of those resources are in limited supply.  John Muir Land Trust maintains the earth for native plants, animals, and of course people!