Building Foundations
Skills for Work, Confidence for Life
For more than 175 years, DeKoven’s kitchen has been a place of service, hospitality, and community. Today, Building Foundations continues that tradition by turning our working Retreat & Conference Center into a place where participants can build practical job skills, confidence, and experience.
Hospitality as a Place to Learn
Learn by Doing
Kitchen Skills: Participants practice food preparation and safe use of commercial kitchen equipment.
Workplace Readiness: Food safety and sanitation are part of learning professional kitchen expectations.
Learning Together: DeKoven staff provide hands-on instruction and encouragement throughout the program.
Hospitality: Participants learn how thoughtful preparation creates a welcoming experience for guests.
Building Toward the Future: Participants leave with experience, new skills, and opportunities to earn employment-related certifications.
What Participants Learn
Food Service
Food safety & sanitation
Culinary fundamentals
Meal preparation
Kitchen workflow
Hospitality
Dining room preparation
Guest service
Housekeeping
Professional standards
Workplace Skills
Communication
Teamwork
Time management
Problem-solving
Workplace confidence
More Than Job Skills
Part of the Team: Participants learn alongside DeKoven staff while contributing to the everyday work of our Retreat & Conference Center.
Building Foundations gives participants a place to practice independence, responsibility, teamwork, and confidence while contributing to the daily life of DeKoven Center.
The work they do matters: meals are prepared, rooms are made ready, guests are welcomed, and participants become part of the team that makes hospitality possible.
Learning
Hands-on instruction in food service, hospitality, housekeeping, and workplace expectations.
Experience
Opportunities to practice skills in a real retreat, conference, and event environment.
Confidence
A supportive place to take on new responsibilities, solve problems, work with others, and prepare for employment.
Community makes it possible.
Building Foundations grows through partnerships with schools, community organizations, funders, employers, and people who believe meaningful work can create meaningful opportunities.
With support from the United Way Microsoft Equity Through Technology Fund