Schofield is about to graduate from college and plans to become a police detective or probation officer. She’d also like to own a restaurant, too.

Shavonne Schofield believes patience is a virtue.

Patience can help us achieve our goals and avoid making bad decisions. That’s the lesson she’s learned, and thanks to it, she’s finding out that now is finally her time to grow.

At 24, the Boston native and participant in Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re)Entering Society(Opens in a new window) (HOPES), is about to graduate from college and begin the next phase of her journey—perhaps as a police detective or probation officer.

She’d like to own a restaurant someday, too.

Discovering HOPES

HOPES, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation program developed in partnership with several community-based organizations, correctional departments, and state restaurant associations, trains adults 18 years or older(Opens in a new window) who are or were justice-system involved find jobs and potentially establish careers at restaurants and other foodservice businesses.
In 2019, Schofield found herself aging out of the foster care system. She was attending Bridgewater State University but needed a job and a place to live.

Ryan Brennan, a case manager at Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), introduced her to HOPES and helped her navigate the training and subsequent job interview she needed to begin work as a host at the local Cheesecake Factory restaurant. With the job, and a voucher for an apartment, HOPES offered her a lifeline, and she grabbed it.

“I’ve been in college for about six years now, working on my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,” she says. “I’d been through hardships and was looking for a job. I needed to get out on my own and rent an apartment. Then the pandemic happened, and finding that job was really hard. Ryan not only helped with that but also with resources for housing. He’s been a great support.” – Source: National Restaurant Association.