Social Enterprise

Since its inception in June 2014 the Culinary Literacy Kitchen at the Free Library has been revolutionizing the way the city of Philadelphia thinks about food. Offering over 350 classes a year, the kitchen teaches and educates on all things food. From children learning how to use a chef’s knife to hosting cookbook authors and local chefs, to hosting and promoting our own Sister Mary’s Sinfully Delicious Cranberry Sauce the Culinary Kitchen is making an impact on local health. 

For Project HOME resident Julia Galetti, art is more than a hobby. The recipient of multiple Leeway Foundation Art and Change grants, Galetti works across multiple mediums. Her portrait subjects range from vintage Rockettes to First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House Rose Garden.  Twenty-three years clean, Galetti says that art helps her maintain her sobriety.

Hyacinth King’s journey from homelessness to hopefulness is truly remarkable. The only child of parents who owned a chain of grocery stores, Hyacinth says growing up she “lived really well.” Hyacinth attended Friends Select School and went on to graduate from Temple University with a business degree.

Two years after “recuperating from life on the streets” Project HOME resident Amber shows the transformative effects supportive employment can have on those who have experienced homelessness.  Since arriving at her new home, Amber admits she’s had to adjust to how quiet it can be, but now she says she “can comfortably sleep at night.” Amber’s rest is well deserved and needed given that she spends her days working in a variety of roles at Project HOME through the organizations’ Employment Services Apprenticeship program.  Her job placement is as a Social Enterprise Crew Member.