Success Stories

Gayle - Cafe Options

Gayle expressed, “I came to Work Options for Women to be able to get a steady job and income and help my family with expenses. I love to cook and bake and believe I am good at it. I am very excited about this program and I am in need of a job very badly.”

Hard work is something that is second nature to Gayle. She demonstrated this throughout her time in the WOW kitchen and even further at her internship at Café Options. Confidence and self-esteem, however, were two things that Gayle would slowly build, day by day. Gayle’s presence was hardly noticeable her first few weeks in the WOW kitchen; it wasn’t until her fellow WOW students needed Gayle as a leader that she rose to the occasion.

Gayle openly welcomed new students to the kitchen and showed them the ropes. Her quiet love for baking helped her show Chef Craig Dixon, in a loud way, that she is a competent and proficient employee. Gayle earned a permanent job at Café Options and proudly displays her talent as lead baker. Now all of Denver has the opportunity to enjoy Oatmeal Freddy’s and other scrumptious baked goods created by Gayle.  

 

Aishia– Wystone Teas

“I want more training in the kitchen.  My goal is to become a chef.  I think with the WOW program, I can accomplish my goal.” 

Aishia wanted a job so badly, that she started to apply and interview for positions even before she finished the training part of the program!  Staff had to remind Aishia to be patient and to continue to work on fine tuning all of her skills.  Aishia patience and hard work paid off. 

Once she completed the training Aishia went on to interview at Wystone Teas, where she was one of 50 applicants.  However, when it came down to hiring someone, Wystone Teas chose Aishia because she was the only candidate that could successfully name all of the five mother sauces. 

During her first week at her new job, Aishia was able to work a luncheon that Paul Mitchell was in attendance.  We at WOW are very proud of her hard work and driven attitude.   

 

Vanessa- Mt. St. Vincent Home

For Vanessa, there is always a silver lining and she is willing to put in the hard work to see it. Vanessa was also known for her eagerness to learn and that was most evident in her nearly perfect attendance.

As much as the WOW Chefs could teach her, Vanessa was going to soak up and take forward with her. After her training Vanessa did a two week internship at Mount St. Vincent Home and it only took those two weeks for Vanessa to make a lasting impression on Chef Tom.

Mount St. Vincent Home did not have an open spot to hire Vanessa at the end of her internship, but as soon as a position opened up, they asked her back.