Struggling with addiction, barely surviving two overdoses, and coping with spending half of his life in and out of the correctional system, Gerald knew his life needed to change. We are so grateful that he found that change at DC Central Kitchen.
Gerald’s time in our Culinary Job Training program began in 2024. He had worked in a few kitchens as an adult and thought adding some formal training and certifications might make sense. He found something he didn’t expect along the way.
“At DC Central Kitchen, I didn’t just learn how to work — I learned how to live.” Gerald was born and raised in Washington, DC. “From the very beginning, my life was about survival,” he told the students at a recent Culinary Job Training graduation where he served as the honored alumni speaker before a packed house of new chefs, supportive family members, and engaged community partners. As they quickly learned, Gerald had to overcome some extreme physical challenges. He fell out of a third-story window as a child. A few years later he was hit by a car. As an adult he was hit by another car while riding his bicycle and another time when crossing New Hampshire Avenue. He was also stabbed, he says, after simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Physical and mental pain led Gerald down a difficult path. “I looked for belonging in the wrong places. I started hustling. I surrounded myself with the wrong crowd. I wanted acceptance, protection, and identity. What I found instead was addiction.”
Once enrolled at DCCK, Gerald says things began to shift. “I learned accountability. I learned discipline. I learned integrity. The shame I once carried turned into humility. The pain I buried turned into purpose. DC Central Kitchen didn’t just give me skills — it gave me my dignity back.”
At his own graduation in July 2024, Gerald earned the Ron Swanson Self-Empowerment Award, given to the student that has shown the most personal progress. “That was so nice to because it made me feel like I paid attention to what was going on. I was able to help others when needed. If nothing else, just by telling my story.”
Gerald’s ability to tell his story has played a large role in his recent successes. In addition to serving as the alumni speaker at the January 2026 Culinary Job Training graduation, this May he spoke at our annual Hungry for Change Breakfast to a record-breaking crowd of long-time and new DCCK supporters. By the time he finished speaking at both events, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Perhaps more importantly, all those eyes were opened to the challenges someone can face living in our city and the truth that, as Gerald says, “your past does not cancel your future.”
Two years since first coming to DC Central Kitchen, Gerald is still clean. Since completing the CJT program, he’s been working full-time as a member of our Materials Management team. His supervisor Robert, a 2015 CJT graduate himself, told us about Gerald’s exemplary work ethic. “He comes in early. He works very hard, and he’s very teachable. He’s gotten more focused as the days go by. He’s always ready to learn and do other things.”
At the start of his CJT journey, Gerald told us that he’d like to be a mentor. “I want to be able to help somebody, let them know somebody can say, ‘“I love you man.’””
Speaking to CJT students and DCCK supporters, Gerald has become that mentor. He’s giving and receiving that love, both in his role at DCCK and through his story. “I love helping people. I love assisting the people here with preparing the meals, with the materials that we have to get for them. It is a beautiful place. I love DC Central Kitchen.”
In addition to becoming a mentor, Gerald has some new things in his life. “I have a bank account. I have an apartment now. I have a fiancé who I love dearly and an adopted stepdaughter. There are so many things you can accomplish when you set your mind to and follow a program that teaches you to be accountable to you, to be on time, to set goals.”
Gerald’s story is one of perseverance. He did not give up.
“It took me to be 60 years old to actually get this thing right, you know. I look at it like this, this more than my second chance. But DC Central Kitchen always gives you a second chance or gives you a chance to better your life. And they direct you in the right areas. It’s a lot of love here. Once you’re affiliated with DC Central Kitchen, you’re family.”