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Earlier this year, the Boston City Council recognized Haley House for its 45 years of community service. Since 1966, Haley House has been helping homeless men and now its many services include nutrition education, life skills and employment training for ex-prisoners re-entering society. Today we'll take a look at how Haley House has been instrumental in keeping former prisoners out of jail.

Guests:

Kathe McKenna: Executive Director of Haley House.

Joe Bartley: a graduate of the transitional employment program, currently working fulltime at Haley House as a supervisor

Haley House on the Callie Crossley Show »

Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick stopped by for quick bite at the Bakery Café before shaking voters' hands on election day. They are among the many people who not only find the café a great place to eat but a place to connect with the Roxbury neighborhood.

After years of incarceration and limited reasons for celebration, the men of the Haley House Transitional Employment Program smile with pride and a sense of accomplishment as they receive their first pay check. Left to right: Roland Worrell, Audley Mills, Moses Ehiabhi and Joseph Bartley.

"It was years in the making and my first job, my very first paycheck … for once I don't have to worry about anything, I earned it" — program participant 09/2010

Watch the video »

Massachusetts' First Lady Diane Patrick invited Haley House Bakery Café's Take Back the Kitchen program, along with our neighbors, The Food Project, to source, prepare and serve a special lunch for the Governors' spouses who were in Boston attending the 2010 Annual Meeting of the National Governors Association.

Didi Emmons, our founding chef and the executive chef of the Take Back the Kitchen program, assembled a delicious menu for the students to prepare, plate and serve. While the guests were eating their entrees, Mrs. Patrick invited several students, Didi and program director Kelly Dunn to talk about Take Back the Kitchen and The Food Project. Combining a training in 'service' from the Harvard Faculty Club Service Director and direction from Didi, the students did a tremendous job, and received high praise from the attendees (a standing ovation).

This was a vibrant, high profile event executed exquisitely — we hope you share in our pride. Pass along the good news of our innovative program Take Back the Kitchen.