Ms. Cherry has been with Project Renewal for over 20 years. She started in 2004 as a Junior Case Manager with the Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP). She was promoted to Case Manager in 2007, to Senior Case Manager in 2016, and to Assistant Director in 2019.
As Assistant Director, Ms. Cherry motivates and uplifts CATP students so they can achieve their goals. She connects with students before their morning and afternoon classes, five days a week. She bonds with them on a personal level, energizing and motivating students for the day. She often troubleshoots for students who are late or miss class. By addressing the root of any problems during training—from childcare issues to transportation challenges—Ms. Cherry helps ensure that students successfully graduate from CATP, and are set up for success in the workplace once they secure a job. As a seasoned and deeply connected case manager, Ms. Cherry has relationships with diverse resources to meet any needs that arise. Ms. Cherry also facilitates groups for CATP students and graduates. These gatherings provide a sense of community and a safe space for participants to talk through challenges they may be facing during the training or on the job. She also provides one-on-one case management for anyone in need of additional support. Finally, she helps to organize and lead robust graduations to celebrate the success of CATP students who have completed the program.
New Yorkers who enroll in our Culinary Arts Training Program can face many barriers to employment. Participants often have histories of unemployment, homelessness, incarceration, or substance use. Ms. Cherry never gives up on anyone and ensures her students have the support they need to overcome any obstacle that comes their way. She always picks up her phone and will talk to graduates long after they’ve completed the program.
Ms. Cherry forms a deep personal connection with her students from day one of the program. At nearly every CATP graduation, she says: “I’ll have your back like a jacket”—and she means it.
Many students say that they would not have gotten through the program without the support and encouragement Ms. Cherry provided. She is truly essential to the success of the students in CATP.
Our program is not just about teaching culinary skills—it’s about ensuring students have the network and resources they need to succeed in the workforce and in their lives following graduation. Ms. Cherry is instrumental in providing that wraparound support.
Since Ms. Cherry became Assistant Director in 2019 through today, she has supported nearly 130 New Yorkers to graduate from the Culinary Arts Training Program. She has been able to achieve these results despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily paused programming and was destabilizing to participants. In 2023, she also supported students through a relocation from CATP’s training kitchen located at Project Renewal’s Third Street Men’s Shelter to a new facility located in Long Island City. Through the move, Ms. Cherry ensured students that their training would not be disrupted and she kept each and every one of them motivated to continue the program through completion. Throughout her time with Project Renewal, she has kept in touch with nearly every graduate, going above and beyond to support their careers and success.
Adapted from Catalyst Kitchens.