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>> [ANCHOR]: They serve our country-- and often return home in search of a meaningful
job. For many in our area though there is hope through what is called "farm to fork".
It is a culinary job training program funded by a grant through RIT and as 13 WHAM's Kelsie
Smith found out it can be a life changing opportunity.
>> [DON VOORHEES]: This is my opportunity to do what I've always loved to do.
>> [REPORTER]: Don Voorhees retired as a chief in the navy after 24 years of service.
>> [VOORHEES]: I have always been in the medical field and I always wanted to cook and it was
very hard to find a job.
>> [REPORTER]: Nearly 10 percent of veterans are unemployed. Higher than the overall unemployment
rate. The demand for employees in the culinary field lead RIT to apply for the grant that
funded the program for three weeks 10 students, nine veterans and one veteran's spouse learned
the industry.
>> [VOORHEES]: This gives me the opportunity to do something I want to and go on a path.
>> [REPORTER]: Army veteran Mike Gibson was also in need of a new path. After the army,
Gibson worked as a mover for 15 years. He was hurt on the job last October.
>> [GIBSON]: After my injury my doctor told me I need to stop being a mover it was going
to cause permanent long term injury and I was wondering what I was going to do.
>> [REPORTER]: Finding a steady job also proved difficult for veteran Lew Spencer. Spencer
was going back to school when he found out about the "farm to fork" program.
>> [SPENCER]: Seeing how I had the unemployment in front of me. I think I needed to think
about some other career paths.
>>[REPORTER]: And what do you think about this one?
>> [SPENCER]: Oh this is awesome.
>> [REPORTER]: And a way for spencer and his fellow classmates to start a different type
of service. Hoping to find their new niche in the workforce. At the New York Wine and
Culinary Center, Kelsie Smith 13 WHAM news.
>> [ANCHOR]: For graduation veterans cooked, served and met with potential employers this
afternoon. Organizers hope to be able to continue this program.