Meet Matilde

When Matilde lost her job in Atlantic City, she asked herself, “What’s next?” She knew she wanted a better life for herself and her kids. She and her daughters found a new home in sunny Orlando.

“Unemployment is not a job. I want to work, to have a safe place to live, and be part of something to make others happy.”

At a job fair, she connected with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. She enrolled in the 16-week Culinary Training Program. Over the next few months, she learned confidence, self-discipline, cooking techniques, new cuisines, and life skills to help her succeed in Central Florida’s foodservice industry. 

At graduation, Matilde went looking for a job and found a lot more. Today she works at Rollins College Dining Services where she puts her knife skills to use at the salad station, chopping lettuce, tomatoes, and a multitude of toppings, while nourishing hardworking college students. “It may seem small, but to me, this was a big deal,” says Matilde. “And it’s not just one life – my life – that changed. It’s my whole family. Thank you.”