BEVERLY — For students like Tenelle Wood, Root’s Thursday night Rootstock fundraising event was a chance to show off the professional and culinary skills she’s been cultivating during her time as part of the program’s youth job training program.
Wood was one of more than 15 current and former Root students hired to cater and host the gala held in Beverly’s recently renovated Cabot Theater.
Wood, who grew up in Lynn and recently moved to Beverly, says she’s always had an interest in culinary arts and was inspired at an early age by her grandfather, who specialized in making his own tomato sauce at restaurants. At one point, the 21-year-old even had her sights set on Johnson and Wales culinary school in New York.
Once she became a caretaker for an elderly neighbor, Wood says she temporarily lost sight of those ambitions. Root was her chance to start again.
“I think this program helped me get back on track for what I want to do in my life,” she said.
Although Root has done three other annual fundraisers, Thursday night’s gala was by far the largest yet. With more than 400 projected attendees, the organization’s space in Salem was just too small to accommodate the crowd. After some consideration, Root’s founder, Jennifer Eddy, decided on the Cabot Theater.
Hosting the gala there seemed like an obvious choice. Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and popular North Shore developer Steve Dodge was a longtime friend of Eddy’s and a major supporter of Root. He also played a large role in renovating the historic theater. After his death last year, the organization decided to present the 2019 Root Community Leadership award in his honor.
Wood wasn’t the only student the program has helped. Lynn’s Lucivania Soares graduated from Root in March. After hearing about the program from a case manager, the 18-year-old said she didn’t know what to expect when she signed up for an interview and was accepted into the program.
“I knew I liked cooking, but I wasn’t sure if I was really into it. I knew I liked cooking at home and stuff, but now, I don’t know. I want to be someone’s chef. I want to explore more,” Soares said.
Root, which was founded in 2016, is focused on helping at-risk youth increase their chances for success through food service training. Students are taught everything from basic culinary skills to interviewing preparedness, and much more. Since its founding, 90 students have completed Root’s intensive three-month program, and in 2019, 20 of the program’s 58 students have been from Lynn.
“We’re trying to reach all the surrounding populations,” said Root board member Elisabeth Massey.
“We want to create opportunities for students who just don’t have that chance, who may need a second or third chance.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
