“COMMITMENT TO ACTION” at CGI America

Liberty’s Kitchen Participates in Clinton Global Initiative America with Partner the Emeril Lagasse Foundation

 This past June, Janet Davas, Liberty’s Kitchen Executive Director, joined Kristin Shannon, Executive Director of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation (ELF), at the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) to present their “Commitment to Action:” Engaging and Mentoring Youth Through the Culinary Arts. We were thrilled to be selected by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation as their partner is this outstanding initiative.

 Particularly exhilarating was the opportunity to be among thousands of business leaders, government officials and civic trailblazers along with its founder former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and their daughter Chelsea Clinton.

 The mission of CGI is to turn ideas into action and convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI America focuses on developing domestic solutions that increase employment, advance access to education and skills development, strengthen energy security, and promote an environment for business growth and innovation. Liberty’s Kitchen along with our host, the ELF were commitment makers within the “Reconnecting Youth” working group, one of among twelve areas of focus at the conference.

 Since 2010, Liberty’s Kitchen has been fortunate enough to have the support of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. But, this year, we were particularly thrilled to receive a special gift of $200,000 to fund our expansion into the ReFresh Project. The expansion will significantly increase the size of our facilities for programming and business operation and double the number of students served from 100 to 200 annually by 2015.  

 We cannot overstate how grateful we are to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation – never losing sight that that real champions are the children and young people who benefit from their generosity and support.”