Just last year, Bruno Abate started the Recipe for Change Program. It is a non-profit organization providing mentoring and guidance to detainees in prison systems through culinary, fine arts, and life skills training while reinforcing the value of work and personal responsibility. They operate an active educational program five days per week in the Cook County Jail in Illinois. “If I were in that situation, I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn useful skills for when I am let out,” James Rockey ‘20.

Recipe for Change is very helpful to those detainees who have placed in jail awaiting their trial for months at a time. Many detainees who may only have to pay off a small fee for their illegal acts still have to wait in jail before their punishment is decided. “Especially for those who are convicted for “smaller” crimes and shouldn’t have to wait in jail for a long time, this is a good way to help these men and women out,’ Ursela Wolf ‘21. By being able to learn a new skill while they are in jail, it is very helpful as the detainees have lost their job and should be able to do something productive with their time. It has been very beneficial to inmates so far. Chef Abate is quoted “When you eat this today you’re going to say “Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God.” in a Chicago Tribune article about his program. It has been so successful that there is a documentary called Serving Time about this program currently in production. You can support the cause by going to the Recipe for Change website.