Emma's Torch in Community Forklift

Emma’s Torch gives culinary trainees a new place to sharpen their skills

Nonprofit Emma’s Torch trains refugees for careers in the food industry.

Imagine arriving in the United States as a refugee, asylee, or a survivor of human trafficking. There’s both hope and hardship. While there is the promise of safety and a new life, there are also language barriers, stressors in finding stability in housing and employment, and a lack of access to basic resources like medical and child care.

This is where Emma’s Torch, a non-profit social enterprise, steps in. Working with those who are coming to the DC area for a second chance, Emma’s Torch offers in-depth culinary training and education in employability and empowerment. Their goal is to give students a sense of confidence and self-worth that will prepare them to enter the workforce. Emma’s Torch students don’t just learn how to earn a paycheck — they find a place in a new community…Read More