Dusseldorf encounters disruption in dining sector as Housing First initiative impacts local restaurants.
In a groundbreaking initiative, eight former homeless individuals have been given the opportunity to integrate into the workforce through a catering project. The collaboration, dubbed "Housing First meets Gastro," was spearheaded by METRO, Housing First Düsseldorf, and fiftyfifty.
The project, which aims to help participants establish themselves in the hospitality industry, began as a pilot in the catering sector. The goal is to prepare participants for a permanent position in the industry.
The first catering event, held at the zakk in Düsseldorf, was a resounding success. The vegetarian dishes prepared by Vanessa and her colleague, who received training under professional chefs, were visibly appreciated by the band "Leftovers," who were the first to enjoy the new catering partner.
The "Housing First" principle, which involves first providing a home and then addressing individual issues, has been instrumental in this project. In fact, fiftyfifty has financed and mediated 80 apartments for homeless people through generous donations.
The organized artist catering at the zakk will allow participants to further develop their skills and contribute to the cultural scene in Düsseldorf. This initiative is open for cooperation inquiries for those interested.
For those seeking to explore potential collaboration in combining Housing First principles with gastro-related community health or housing recovery projects, consider reaching out to local Housing First organizations or city departments handling affordable housing or homeless services. Additionally, Katy Responds, a nonprofit focusing on disaster recovery and home rebuilding, might be a valuable partner for community housing restoration collaboration focused on disaster relief housing stability.
Lastly, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) could provide gastro-related partnership opportunities. Reach out to Elaine McCubbin or Katie Thorne for more information.
The photo of the first catering event was taken by Natascha Wiese. The Vienna band "Leftovers" had their performance at the zakk on Thursday evening (10.4.). This innovative project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for positive change in the lives of those who have faced homelessness.
The project, "Housing First meets Gastro," aims to integrate former homeless individuals into the workforce by providing skills training in the food-and-drink sector, as part of their career-development and personal-growth journey. The initiative, spearheaded by METRO, Housing First Düsseldorf, and fiftyfifty, began with a successful catering event at the zakk, where dishes prepared by trainees received acclaim from the band "Leftovers."
The philosophy of "Housing First" is instrumental in this initiative, as fiftyfifty has mediated 80 apartments for homeless people, fulfilling the "Housing First" principle of providing a home before addressing other issues. This project also seeks to collaborate with organizations like Katy Responds for community housing restoration, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for gastro-related partnerships, and local Housing First organizations or city departments handling affordable housing or homeless services.
The success of the initial catering event serves as a testament to the initiative's potential for positive change in the lives of those who have faced homelessness, offering opportunities in lifestyle areas such as home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and fostering a sense of belonging and growth within the community.
