Flore Foundation is proud to announce that we have awarded a grant to Sanctuary Kitchen supporting their operational initiatives to focus on business growth to expand employment for refugees. Sanctuary Kitchen, a subsidiary of City Seed, is a social enterprise that employs immigrants and resettled refugees in New Haven, Connecticut.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting this rapidly developing catering business that has recently expanded to hire it’s third refugee chef. The organization also provides dozens of women opportunities to expand their interest in the culinary arts, build a network and earn a wage. For the local community, Sanctuary Kitchen imbues their rich culture and traditional food from chefs’ native to Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Sudan among other places around the globe. Sanctuary Kitchen believes “food brings people to the table, enriches lives, and fosters mutual understanding across diverse cultures in the most delicious way possible.” We are thrilled to work with Sanctuary Kitchen to foster economic independence for refugees in Connecticut.
Today on World Refugee Day, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on all of the amazing accounts of people who have fled their homeland and, in the face of hopelessness have responded with greatness. Through sheer determination these people overcame obstacles that most of us will never face. Every day I read stories of refugees fulfilling dreams of pursuing their talents, introducing their new community to traditional music, art, literary works or food. Others begin businesses, large and small, often hiring other refugees. I admire their immense ambition, drive and willingness to take chances and learn new things in order to attain their aspirations. The refugee chefs at Sanctuary Kitchen are an example to us all. Flore Foundation is honored to support these refugee women as they pursue a sustainable livelihood with their families.
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