About Us

Mission Statement
At Plated Forward, we break the cycle of homelessness by turning the kitchen into a classroom for lasting change. Through immersive culinary education, we equip unhoused individuals with marketable skills, professional confidence, and the nourishment—both literal and figurative—needed to build stable, self-sufficient lives. Every recipe mastered, every meal plated, and every kitchen shift completed moves our students one step closer to secure employment, permanent housing, and a future defined by possibility rather than circumstance.

Our First Workshop at Lincoln Park Community Shelter
Our journey begins at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS), where we are hosting our very first cooking class workshop. With the support of LPCS, we are creating a safe, supportive environment where individuals experiencing homelessness can gain culinary skills, develop confidence, and take critical steps toward self-sufficiency. This partnership marks the beginning of our growing relationship with the shelter, one built on mutual trust, empowerment, and shared goals. As we continue to grow, we look forward to expanding this vital collaboration, reaching more individuals, and providing them with the tools they need to transform their lives.
Together with LPCS and our supporters, we are working to build brighter futures for individuals in need, one meal at a time.