After leaving home Mason* was searching for a safe place to land, where stability felt possible and they could get back on their feet.
When they arrived at Covenant House, they weren’t sure what to expect.
“I didn’t really trust people at the time,” Mason said. “But when I came here, everyone was so welcoming. It was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this kind of place even existed.’”
At first, Mason benefited from onsite services including counselling and healthcare. Then, they enrolled into Covenant House’s culinary arts training program, Cooking for Life, which unexpectedly rekindled a long-lost interest.
“Working in the Cooking for Life kitchen was amazing. I always loved cooking, but this gave me a real purpose,” they share. “I learned so much—communication, teamwork, and the confidence to keep going, even when it was tough.”
The program teaches hands-on kitchen skills they’d use in a restaurant kitchen job, and other tools they need to become solid employees anywhere: Time management skills. Negotiation skills. Teamwork. The importance of showing up every single day and getting to work on time. Through the program youth earn industry certifications and includes job placements in restaurants across the city – giving young people the chance to experience the culinary world in a real-life setting. It also helps young people build confidence, learn key life skills like time management and discipline, and gain the experience and networks that can lead to a stable job and a path out of homelessness.
During their training, Mason’s passion for cooking evolved into an appreciation for baking – tiramisu was their favourite dish to make in class.
For the job placement part of the program, Mason worked at a bakery in downtown Toronto. While the first few days were nerve-wracking, they quickly found their rhythm.
“Baking is like food science—you have to be precise. The first time I messed up a batch of brownies, I thought I was done,” Mason said. “But instead, they turned out even better. That moment gave me so much confidence.”
Mason’s dedication and positive attitude didn’t go unnoticed. Just two weeks into their placement, the bakery offered them a full-time job. Now, they spend their days perfecting recipes like brownies, scones, and even vegan cupcakes.
This opportunity is so much more than a job for Mason- it’s given them stability, independence, and joy.
“Before, my days were just about getting by,” they said. “Now, I wake up excited to go to work, to make people smile with what I create. I feel like I have a purpose.”