Culinary arts training program announced for clients of addiction and mental health system

For Immediate Release: May 6, 2004 (Toronto) - This May, George Brown College, in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) launched Assistant Cook Extended Training (ACET), an innovative two-semester program to train students for entry-level food preparation jobs. The certificate-granting program has been designed to help prepare people recovering from addiction and/or mental health problems for jobs in the food service industry.

Funded through the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the program is unique because it combines education, work placements and support into one program. "We are extremely excited to be offering this program in partnership with CAMH. This program makes it possible for people who had or have an addiction or mental health problem develop the skills necessary to prepare for work in the food services industry in a supportive and caring environment," says Michael Cooke, Vice President, Academic Excellence and Student Success of George Brown College.

Candidates for the program have been selected and began an orientation and assessment session in early April. Classes begin in May at the George Brown Hospitality campus, with co-op job placements scheduled to take place in August. For more information about the program please visit the George Brown College Web site at http://www.georgebrown.ca/Marketing/FTCal/access/A744.html

"Programs like this are very important for those recovering from an addiction and/or a mental health problem because working in a healthy environment represents hope. It provides people with an opportunity to gain the self esteem, friendships, skills and pride that comes with having a job", says Joanne Campbell, Vice President, Community Relations, CAMH.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

George Brown, Toronto City College was founded in 1967, and reflects the rich multicultural and economic diversity of Toronto and offers a diverse range of accreditation from certificates to diplomas to Bachelor degrees.
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For more information contact: Sylvia Hagopian, CAMH Media Relations Coordinator at 416-595-6015.

Olga Lalka, George Brown--Toronto City College, Communications and Marketing at 416-415-5000 ext. 3542