EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization. We give formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industry while providing a support network necessary their long-term success. EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant was founded in 2007 with the belief that every human being, regardless of their past, has a right to a fair and equal future. In 2011, we started teaching in Grafton Correctional Institution. Shortly thereafter, we opened the restaurant on Nov. 1, 2013. Students are not only equipped with basic culinary skills, but are also assisted with finding employment, and have the opportunity to utilize free housing, legal services, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs and more. In 2016, we opened the EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills Center, a 20,000 square foot campus for living, working and recreational enrichment. Today, between its prison program and restaurant and institute at Shaker Square, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute graduates nearly 100 students a year. After finishing the program or after release from prison, our graduates have gained employment in Cleveland’s finest restaurants. Our results have been astounding: at least 95% employment after graduation and 1.4% recidivism for our graduates.
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