Rylan Aris Deon loved cooking as a child, but life -- and health circumstances — have not provided many recent opportunities for him to spend time in a kitchen.
That changed when he was invited to take part in the Food for Thought catering program at Arrowhead Clubhouse, where he has been a member for almost four years. Arrowhead Clubhouse, one of 36 programs that fall under the umbrella of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, is a place where people living with mental illness on the Coast can learn skills, get support and build and rebuild relationships in a safe, stigma-free environment.
“My mom taught me how to cook when I was really young, curries and pasta and stuff like that. So, I always found it enjoyable to cook,” said Deon. “So, when I was offered the chance to cook and I knew the flexible hours, I was happy. I have a low-stress tolerance due to my disability in complex mental health neurological structure. So, it was really helpful to have kind of flexible hours in a supportive environment.”
The Food for Thought catering program, which is funded by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), pays members to make to-go meals for the Junction, a recovery centre also funded by VCH. To date, the catering program has trained 12 clubhouse members and paid out almost $8,000 in honorariums.
“I’ve worked in kitchen spaces before, but it was nice to solidify working in a kitchen and working as a team. It helps me stay sharp — like a knife,” he said, joking.
He added, working as a team has also deepened his bonds with other clubhouse members, helped him build confidence and gives him something to look forward to.
“It's been a highlight of my week.”
Food for Thought program director Rachel Griffiths said when VCH approached Arrowhead about catering to some of its recovery programs, the team jumped at the chance.
“Because why wouldn't we? And the program pays honorariums to members, $25 an hour for working in the kitchen and making these meals,” said Griffith. “And so far, we served over 1,500 meals in the first six months.”
Griffiths explained clubhouse members who take part in the program learn basic kitchen training and gain experience they can add to their resume. The program also helps participating members qualify for the provincial Foodsafe program, a food handling, sanitation and work safety course needed by anyone working in food service establishments.
She likens it to a “transition to work,” program. She noted, for a lot of members cooking used to be a big part of their life.
“Now some people who don't have a kitchen to cook in are able to come and learn and cook with people and have that kind of community experience,” she said. “I think it’s a really good, positive thing for the members and it really makes it fun for me too, just experiencing it with them and teaching them.”
The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week and typically, two clubhouse members assist Griffith in preparing about 40 catered meals.
Nikki Hansen, who also works for the catering program, said the extra money has made a world of difference.
“You know for some emergencies. My son's girlfriend died recently and we just needed to spend some money and not worry about it. And so, we did,” said Hansen, who’s been a member of the clubhouse for 20 years. “And it also helps with kitchen stuff, like extra food.”
Hansen started out eight months ago by serving coffee in the morning to other clubhouse members and helping to prepare food for the regular meals served out of Arrowhead. Today, she’s cooking, putting her knife skills to work, and baking.
“Rachel is a really good teacher, because she's not pushy, and we're adults, so we just pick up on everything,” said Hansen. “It’s just. ‘Here's this. This is what we're doing.’ She shows you so we're fine and we appreciate it.”
For years an injury has kept Hansen from seeking full-time employment but she said, the Food for Thought program allows her to work just enough hours that she feels a sense of accomplishment, without straining her muscles.
“The way it works is, if Rachel thinks you're tired or something, she'll help you. She'll say, you know, let’s take a break. But anytime I’m around there, I'm not pressured,” said Hansen. “Like, I wouldn't responsibly try to get a job because I can't keep up, so then I'm out of the workforce but this has been like being back in the workforce, which is cool.”
Foye Hatton, project lead for Arrowhead, said for years members had been asking for a transitional, employment program and Food for Thought is the first of its kind. Hatton would like to see the program expand to include catering frozen meals for seniors and even weddings for socially minded couples.
“I think the sky's the limit for the Food for Thought program, in terms of there are so many places on the Coast where we could employ people who are struggling with mental health challenges to provide food for other vulnerable people in this community,” said Hatton.
He added, even earning $75 a week can be a big deal to the members involved.
“That's the difference between really living on the poverty line and having nothing, and having that tiny little bit of money, which helps you support your family, which helps you support yourself,” he said. “So, it's a real game changer for people and it's changed our clubhouse quite a lot.”
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