Congrats, Chef Joe!

Chef Joron Smith has worked at Café Reconcile for almost 14 years and has served as a positive role model and inspiration to hundreds of Reconcile Youth. In December, Chef Joe graduated from Delgado’s Culinary Arts Program with an Associate Degree in Culinary Management. He completed his degree while working at Café Reconcile and raising four children. Chef Joe has passionately impacted young people’s lives and passed on both job skills and life skills to our youth:

“Reconcile feels like my purpose and what I’m meant to do. Over the years, I’ve been an example to young men and women to understand that there is hope. That was one of the reasons I went back to school. I don’t believe in telling people, I believe in showing people.”

Chef Joe has big plans for Reconcile and our future students who come through the program:

“At Reconcile we’ve been able to passionately affect young people’s lives. I want to make sure we can continue to do that and grow, while meeting the needs of the young people. I want Café Reconcile to be around for our students’ future children. That’s how much I believe in Café Reconcile.”

Reconcile is grateful to have such a dedicated and talented mentor, who cares so deeply about this program and our youth.