When the Beaverton Education Foundation (BEF) first learned that the Beaverton School District’s Community Transition Program (CTP) lacked the necessary funds for its vital culinary classes, the community answered the call. Through a combination of generous local donors and a corporate match from the Safeway Foundation and the Frito-Lay/Quaker Feeding a Brighter Future Initiative, a total of $10,000 was invested into the program.
At the close of the school year, BEF checked back in with the teachers and students at CTP to see how those funds were put to work. The verdict? The investment was truly transformational.
Relief from Financial Uncertainty
For the 100 transition-aged students (ages 18–21) with disabilities attending CTP, the cooking program is much more than a class—it is a launchpad for self-sufficiency.
Before the grant, both staff and students carried the heavy worry of whether the program would survive the school year. The $10,000 infusion provided immediate relief and total freedom, allowing the school to focus entirely on helping students explore recipes, navigate grocery stores, and build vital independent living skills without financial stress.
“This funding allowed us to continue offering three to four cooking classes a day,” shared Dawn Hehman, manager of CTP. “Students practiced essential life skills, ranging from reading recipes and shopping for groceries to purchasing food and meal preparation.” Part of the funds were immediately used to purchase adaptive kitchen tools, ensuring students of all physical abilities could safely and easily master these culinary skills.
From the Classroom to the Home
The ripple effects of this community support reached far beyond the school walls. Armed with newfound confidence, many students began taking the initiative at home, proudly preparing recipes for their families.
For one student, the program sparked a massive breakthrough: she now cooks for herself every single day, a monumental milestone on her journey toward autonomy.
Baking a Path to Leadership and Employment
For other students, the culinary program served as a catalyst for profound personal growth.
One typically introverted student with a deep passion for baking was chosen to lead CTP’s new monthly birthday baking group. She stepped into the leadership role flawlessly—auditing the school pantry, creating grocery shopping lists, and confidently guiding her peers through the entire baking process. This hands-on experience didn’t just enhance her social and communication skills; it empowered her to begin applying for jobs in the professional baking field.
A Proud Achievement for CTP Graduates
As the school year came to a close, students reflected on their growth, with many naming the shopping and cooking classes as their absolute favorite activity.
For the graduating class, the program provided tangible tools for the real world. Graduates shared their pride in mastering critical money management skills—such as the “next dollar up” budgeting technique—and gaining the enduring confidence to walk into any grocery store, navigate the aisles independently, and successfully find the items they need.
Thanks to the combined power of local donors and corporate partners, these 100 CTP students aren’t just learning recipes—they are cooking up bright, independent futures.
