Cesar is an ex-offender and is deaf. After serving 13 years in prison, he was looking for a life change. He also wanted to change the public’s perceptions of the deaf.
In the fall of 2006, Cesar enrolled in the Food Services Program at Goodwill Southern California. He discovered this program after meeting with his Department of Rehabilitation counselor and expressing his desire to become a professional chef.
The counselor referred him to Goodwill where he could learn the basics and prepare for future culinary education.
“Goodwill and my counselor have been wonderful for my life. They gave me a path to help me grow. . . . This is the first time I have been working in 13 years and I feel so good about myself.”
Goodwill was an easy transition for Cesar as it trains other individuals who are deaf and has counselors on staff to translate when needed. When asked how being deaf affects his outlook on life and his day-to-day activities, Cesar responds, “Being deaf is a challenge. However, it doesn’t matter if I am deaf, I can still be successful and help people become more positive about deafness.”
Cesar has been attending the Food Services Program longer than any other Goodwill trainee who is deaf. After he graduates, Cesar wants to apply to UCLA to work in its food services department.
“While I am working during the day, I want to enroll in Le Cordon Bleu Schools for Culinary Training and get my Bachelor’s degree in Chef Art. This is my dream.”
