support root

Your support helps provide youth, ages 16 to 26 with a pathway to employment and financial independence.

Root’s 14-week, 240-hour program of direct kitchen and classroom training provides students with technical and experiential education in the culinary arts.  Equally important, Root’s program emphasizes five critical skills employers expect and which correlate with continued success: social and cognitive skills, self-agency, communication, and confidence.

Many employers will match contributions. Please ask yours if they will match your support of Root.

Seed Opportunity - Join Root as a sustaining donor!

A single gift makes a big impact - and a monthly sustaining gift, at any level, helps Root keep going and growing. Join our sustainer giving program today and your contribution keeps Root Trainees prepared with the learning materials they need to feed their opportunity - and you! A sustaining gift delivers lasting support for our programs.

See what a monthly gift can do:

• $10/month for one year provides a monthly transportation stipend for a Root trainee

• $25/month for one year supports test prep, coaching, and exam materials for one Root alumni to earn their ServSafe Manager professional certification 

• $50/month for one year covers a learner’s permit, driving lessons, and licensing fees for a Root graduate to earn their driver’s license.

• $100/month for one year provides a two-week paid externship experience, plus wrap around support, for a student enrolled in the Alumni Employment Program
  

  *For more information, contact Faith Emerson at femerson@rootns.org or 978-616-7615 ext. 106.

Whether you are eager to roll up your sleeves and work in the kitchen or support the training program, we have several volunteer opportunities over the next few months. If you are interested in signing up or would like more information, please contact Samantha Johanson at sjohanson@rootns.org or 978-616-7615.

• Community Catering - Kitchen Volunteer Program - Weekly on Friday mornings, 10:00-12:00 p.m. Volunteers will work alongside a Root alumni leader and a group of volunteers from our friends at SPUR to help with a variety of kitchen tasks, including washing, peeling, cutting, traying, scooping, and portioning. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old (or 15 years old with a chaperone). Root will provide aprons, gloves, and hairnets. Please wear closed-toe shoes and ankle-length pants, and avoid wearing tank tops. To sign up directly, click here.

• Culinary Training Program - Mock Interviews and Resume Workshops
  During the Root program, trainees have opportunities to test their workforce skills in a supportive environment, including interview practice. Volunteers are needed to meet one-on-one with trainees to help build and edit resumes and conduct mock interviews. Some prior experience in hiring is preferred but not required, and a brief training session is available before each session.

  • Resume Workshop - March 12th, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Volunteers will assist trainees in building and editing their resumes. No professional experience is required, but computer fluency and recent familiarity with creating or reviewing resumes are helpful. A brief training session will be held from 12:30 to 1:00 for new volunteers. To sign up directly, click here.

  • Mock Interview Workshop - March 19th, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Volunteers will work with Root trainees to practice and hone interview skills in advance of job-seeking. Volunteers will be paired with a trainee for their interview and then asked to fill out a feedback form for the program team. Root will provide job descriptions, questions, and feedback forms prior to the workshop. A brief training session will be held from 12:30 to 1:00 for new volunteers. To sign up directly, click here.

• Culinary Training Program - Guest Chef or Industry Speaker
  Part of preparing young people for success in the workforce is exposing them to different instructional styles, cuisines, and career paths. Root seeks to highlight a variety of cuisines and culinary careers for our trainees and welcomes professionals to share their passion and expertise. Contact Merlinda Philippe for more information.

• Culinary Training Program - Host a Root Trainee
  Offer to host one of our trainees at your restaurant or business, or connect us with possible host sites or employment opportunities. Contact Merlinda Philippe for more information.

• General Support
  Occasional support for a variety of projects, from community meals to readying the workshop and computers in between cohorts, periodic inventory projects, and helping with event support for Root’s fundraising and community outreach events.

Make a wire transfer or a gift of securities.

Click here for information on how to make a wire transfer or a gift of stock, or contact Faith Emerson.

For paperwork purposes, Root’s legal name is
Root NS Inc.
Shetland Park
35 Congress Street, Suite 2350
Salem MA 01970

Our tax identification number is: 47-5454938

Spread the Word!
Follow us on social media, come to an event, share with your friends why you support Root! Help us get the word out about our Youth Job Training Program, and about our Catering and HarborPoint event space.