A Second Chance in the Kitchen: How Community Support Helped Haylea Rebuild
February 6, 2026
On any given night, thousands of women across America experience hardship. For Haylea Hoke, a mother and recent graduate of York Technical College’s Culinary Workforce Readiness Program, a pathway toward stability became possible through workforce training rooted in opportunity and strengthened by a network of community partners committed to walking alongside her.
An integral part of Haylea’s journey toward self-sufficiency was her completion of the York Technical College nine-week Culinary Workforce Readiness Program, a hands-on training designed to equip participants with professional culinary skills, industry-recognized certification, and the confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment. For Haylea, the program represented more than job training; it was a turning point.
When asked about the purpose of the program, Kimberly Massey, Workforce and Economic Development Activator for York Tech, said:
“The Workforce and Economic Development Department at York Tech offers short-term training, certification, and licensure to help people find work or to advance in their work roles. Many people think of the Technical College as the place that offers 2-year degrees, and we do, but our department offers 2-week, 6-week, 4-month, etc. programs that meet the needs of our local citizens and local industry. Quite often, in cases like Haylea's, people do not have 2 years to become qualified for their next job. They need the knowledge and skills concentrated into a brief time period and assistance connecting with workforce partners who want to hire them.”
Like many individuals navigating difficult circumstances, Haylea was already taking steps to care for herself and her family when she connected with local support services that helped stabilize her life and make participation in the program possible.
In a recent interview, Haylea reflected on a pivotal season that led her to York Tech’s program.
“At the time, I was homeless. I moved to The Life House Women’s Shelter,” she shared. “If it wasn’t for Amber and The Life House, I wouldn’t have been in the culinary program.”
The Life House Women’s Shelter, located at Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill, provides women experiencing hardship with access to safe shelter, meals, hygiene services, fellowship, and case management. These essential supports allowed Haylea to focus on her goals and fully engage in York Technical College’s training program.
Offered in partnership with Pathways Community Center, York Technical College’s Culinary Workforce Readiness Program blends technical instruction with professional development to prepare participants for success in the food service industry. Throughout the program, Pathways staff worked closely with students to provide encouragement, accountability, and ongoing support.
“Mr. Taylor and Wanda support you in ways that I don’t think many people get supported,” Haylea said. “If it weren’t for Mr. Taylor constantly pushing us to go and keep going, I wouldn’t have stayed in the class.”
In the kitchen, Haylea trained under the guidance of York Technical College instructor Chef Teshia, who challenged students to develop both their skills and their confidence.
“It was truly amazing to watch Haylea’s confidence grow, not only in the kitchen but in every aspect of the program. At the start of the course, she was quiet and preferred to observe. By the end of the class, she was confidently cooking and helping lead discussions,” Chef said.
Even while navigating personal challenges — including the loss of a family member — Haylea remained committed to completing the program, supported by her classmates, Chef Teshia, and Pathways staff.
“Chef Teshia pushed us to the point where we knew we could do it,” Haylea shared. “She gave us the confidence that we needed.”
On December 18, Haylea proudly received her white coat and Managerial ServSafe Certification during a graduation ceremony held at Pathways Community Center, marking the successful completion of York Technical College’s Culinary Workforce Readiness Program. “I don’t overthink anymore,” she said. “If I set my mind to something, I’m going to do it.”
When asked what advice she would give to future students, Haylea offered simple but powerful encouragement: “Just keep pushing through. Don’t give up. It’s easy to give up, but just don’t.”
Since graduating from the program, Haylea has been hired at Junior Varsity and will soon return to the kitchen at Eleven 11 Steakhouse in Rock Hill — continuing the momentum she built through York Technical College’s workforce training.
Her story highlights the impact of workforce education when paired with intentional community collaboration. Through York Technical College’s Culinary Workforce Readiness Program — and the vital support of partners like The Life House and Pathways Community Center — individuals are gaining the skills, confidence, and stability needed to build lasting change.
Written by Karl Vogl
Collective Impact in Action June demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together with a shared commitment to serving others. Across the Pathways campus, our partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies continued working side by side to connect individuals and families with the resources they need to build stronger futures. This month, 100% of those served achieved their goal of obtaining essential documentation , removing critical barriers to accessing employment, housing, healthcare, and other vital services. We also saw 100% enhance their health and wellness through engagement with healthcare providers, counselors, peer support, and wellness programming. Additionally, three individuals successfully transitioned into independent living , marking an important step toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Every milestone reflects the power of collaboration and the dedication of the organizations and individuals who make Pathways possible. Together, we remain committed to creating opportunities that empower our neighbors to move forward with dignity, hope, and lasting self-sufficiency.
Written by Karl Vogl ll For many people, a driver's license or state-issued identification card is something that quietly sits in a wallet until it's needed. It's used to apply for a job, sign a lease, visit a doctor's office, or cash a paycheck. Most people rarely think about what life would be like without one. For many of the individuals served by Alston Wilkes Society at Pathways Community Center, however, obtaining an ID is anything but simple. It is often one of the first, and most difficult, steps toward rebuilding a stable life. JoAnn Blackwell, who works directly with individuals navigating the identification process, sees these challenges every week. Through Alston Wilkes Society's partnership with shelter partners and other organizations on the Pathways Community Center campus, she helps clients work through a system that often requires documents they no longer have in order to obtain the documents they desperately need. "It's kind of like a back and forth," Blackwell explained. "To replace a Social Security card, you often need an ID. To get an ID, you may need your birth certificate. To get your birth certificate, you may need your Social Security card. Everything fits together." For someone experiencing homelessness, reentering society after incarceration, or recovering from years of instability, those essential documents may have been lost, stolen, or expired long ago. What many people assume is a quick visit to the DMV can instead become months of paperwork, appointments, waiting periods, and setbacks. One of the biggest misconceptions, Blackwell says, is that obtaining an ID is a one-day process. "A lot of people think you just go to the DMV and it's one and done. It's not always that way." Instead, clients often make multiple trips to government offices, only to discover another document is needed or another appointment must be scheduled. Replacing a Social Security card alone can take six to eight weeks before someone is even seen. Every delay postpones employment, housing, healthcare, and financial stability. For some, the journey lasts far longer. Blackwell shared the story of one client who has been working to obtain the necessary documents for more than a year and a half. Paperwork has been mailed back and forth, notarized, resubmitted, and delayed repeatedly. "It's been over a year for him," she said. For someone trying to rebuild their life, those months represent more than waiting, they represent opportunities postponed. An ID is about far more than proving who someone is. It is often the first key that unlocks every other opportunity. With proper identification, clients can apply for employment, obtain replacement Social Security cards, secure housing, establish healthcare, purchase insurance, and begin rebuilding financial independence. "They've got to have employment in order to move forward," Blackwell explained. "They can't get a home unless they have money, and they can't get money unless they have a job. It all comes together." Without identification, even the most determined individual can find themselves unable to move forward. Every month, Blackwell meets clients through partnerships with shelter partners, accompanying many of them through the identification process. Rather than simply sending someone to the DMV, she often goes with them, helping interpret requirements, asking questions, and ensuring they understand each step of the process. Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn't a lack of effort—it is simply understanding a complicated system. Having someone who knows how to navigate that system can make all the difference. One client remains especially memorable. After serving many years at Kershaw Correctional Institution, a gentleman was released only to discover his driver's license had expired while he was incarcerated. He attempted to renew it on his own but left the DMV confused about what was required. Remembering what Blackwell had taught during reentry classes, he called and asked for help. She met him at the DMV, listened carefully to the conversation with the clerk, and realized the information being communicated wasn't what the client believed he had heard. Together, they worked through the process. He renewed his license, retook the written exam, and was eventually able to pursue his commercial driver's license. Today, he is employed by a local trucking company. That renewed driver's license became much more than identification—it became the first step toward stable employment, housing, supporting his family, and rebuilding his future. "It's a big thing having the proper things that you need," Blackwell said. Blackwell hopes the community remembers that individuals experiencing homelessness or returning from incarceration are often working much harder than people realize. From the outside, it can appear as though little progress is being made. In reality, many spend months gathering records, attending appointments, completing paperwork, and overcoming barriers that most people never have to face. She even reflected on her own experience obtaining a federal identification credential, a process that took nearly nine months despite having resources and support. If obtaining identification can be that difficult under normal circumstances, imagine trying to do it while experiencing homelessness or rebuilding life after incarceration. Her message to the community is simple: "Be patient with the homeless population and those with criminal backgrounds." Sometimes it's simply the paperwork standing between someone and a second chance. Through the work of Alston Wilkes Society and the collaborative network at Pathways Community Center, those barriers are slowly being removed—one document, one appointment, and one life at a time.
Collective Impact in Action April continued to reflect what’s possible when a community remains committed to showing up for one another. Across the Pathways campus, partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies worked together to provide support, create opportunities, and walk alongside individuals and families navigating their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency. Throughout the month, 414 services were delivered across our campus. Each interaction represents more than assistance in the moment. It reflects collaboration, compassion, and a coordinated effort to help meet people where they are while supporting where they hope to go. One of the most meaningful milestones from April was seeing 10 individuals transition into independent housing , making it one of the strongest months we’ve experienced in helping people move into stable living situations. These moments represent hard work, persistence, and the power of having support systems in place that help make forward movement possible. April also marked the graduation of the second cohort of the York Technical College Culinary Workforce Readiness Program. Surrounded by family, friends, community members, and on-site partners, participants were celebrated for completing hands-on culinary training, building life skills, and preparing for employment opportunities within the culinary field. For many graduates, the ceremony represented more than the completion of a program. It reflected renewed confidence, discipline, and an important next step toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. The work happening across Pathways continues to grow through consistency, partnership, and a shared commitment to caring for our community in tangible ways.
