When Ana arrived in New York, she felt completely alone. She moved from Brazil in search of opportunity – but with no family, friends, or career direction, she faced more uncertainty than she expected. “I didn’t have anyone to support me,” she recalls. “I felt lost, but I was determined to change my life.”
That change began when Ana found Hot Bread Kitchen. Through our Front-of-House program, she discovered the essential ingredients for change: skills, confidence, and community.
With the support of stipends, MetroCards, and dedicated mentors, Ana built the confidence to start fresh.
Within a week of graduating, she was hired in a front-of-house role at Arva, bringing warmth, professionalism, and pride to every guest she greets.
Ana’s story reminds us that when you combine opportunity, belief, and support, transformation rises.
Hot Bread Kitchen is able to help Breadwinners like Ana discover their own ingredients for change – confidence, community, and the skills to build a lasting career. In a city that’s constantly moving, our monthly donors are the steady foundation that allows us to do this work. Their ongoing support ensures that we can offer more comprehensive training, mentorship, and job placement to women striving for stability and success.
