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Quail & Condor
Quail & Condor is one of Sonoma County's most celebrated bakeries, known for its exceptional artisan breads, pastries, and commitment to craftsmanship. Rooted in community and dedicated to quality, their team creates an environment where learning, mentorship, and hospitality go hand in hand. As a Groundwork for Youth work placement partner, Quail & Condor provides justice-impacted youth with meaningful hands-on experience while modeling the care, patience, and excellence that have earned them local and national recognition, including a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination and recognition from the Michelin Guide.
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Smash Sonoma
Smash Sonoma is a community-focused burger spot from acclaimed chef Ari Weiswasser and the team behind Glen Ellen Star and Stella. Smash believes in creating opportunities for the next generation as a work placement partner. They're helping open doors for justice-impacted youth by offering real kitchen experience, mentorship, and a chance to be part of a team that believes everyone deserves an opportunity to grow.
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Costeaux French Bakery
Costeaux French Bakery has been a cornerstone of Sonoma County's culinary community for generations, known for its dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and hospitality. Groundwork for Youth currently partners with three Costeaux locations, Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Tia Maria, to provide paid work placements for justice-impacted youth. Under the mentorship of Executive Chef Jorge Flores, a Groundwork for Youth co-founder and longtime culinary instructor inside juvenile hall, youth receive not only hands-on industry experience but also the consistent guidance and encouragement needed to build confidence, develop their skills, and thrive both in and beyond the workplace.
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Sonoma Family Meal
Groundwork for Youth partners with Sonoma Family Meal to ensure youth leaving juvenile hall have a clear path into culinary job training and employment. After release, students have the possibility to transition directly into Sonoma Family Meal’s cohort programs, gaining industry skills, mentorship, and access to fair-wage opportunities. Together, we create a seamless bridge from custody to community, turning training into long-term stability.
MISSION:
Sonoma Family Meal nourishes the community and creates opportunity by providing culinary job training, quality emergency meals, and support for the local food ecosystem.
VISION:
Sonoma Family Meal envisions an equitable, sustainable, and resilient food ecosystem.
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Degen Pizza
Pizza Degen has been a committed Groundwork for Youth partner since the beginning, showing up four times a year to teach hands-on pizza making during our culinary cohorts inside juvenile hall. By spending time alongside the youth before they're released, Chef Degen builds real relationships while passing on practical skills and confidence in the kitchen. That commitment doesn't stop at the gate, Pizza Degen is also a work placement partner and currently employs one of our youth, creating a direct pathway from learning inside to paid work in the community.
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Acre Pizza
Acre Pizza has been an incredible partner in creating real opportunities for justice-impacted youth. Known for serving some of the best wood-fired pizza in Sonoma County, their team leads with quality, kindness, and a genuine investment in people. Through our partnership, Acre's Healdsburg location offers our youth the chance to learn the craft, build confidence, and be part of a supportive kitchen that believes in second chances.
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Healdsburg Plumbing
Healdsburg Plumbing has been an invaluable partner in helping us expand beyond the restaurant industry and create meaningful career pathways in the skilled trades. As our first trade work placement partner, they have opened the door for a young person to gain paid, hands-on experience in a field with long-term opportunity and stability. Partnerships like this are essential to our mission, proving that there isn't just one path to a successful future.