PUTNUMVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Cheers echoed across the room as 140 graduates crossed the floor, marking their completion of their selected programs.
For one man, he said he found a passion in the culinary arts. Dan Hazebrouck has completed this Ivy Tech program. He said the chef gives hands-on demonstrations and has truly given him a career path for when he leaves.
“I mean, I found out that I like to cook and there’s certain aesthetics to it. I’d like to finish my classes. Start at the bottom somewhere and climb my way to the top,” said Hazebrouck.
Ivy Tech culinary chief said Hazebrouck has come a long way.
He’s actually seeking employment in the field. 6 or 7 months ago, before I even met him, he couldn’t even look me in the eyes, you know, and then now I mean he’s over here shooting me jokes and kicking me in the angle when I’m doing wrong too as well. So honestly, I think this program’s not only you know given him a passion, but giving him insight into you know, a career,” said Jeremiah Johnson, Ivy Tech Culinary Arts Teacher at Putnumville Corrections Facility.
Ivy Tech has been doing this program for 4 years and is in 15 facilities across Indiana. Programs available for this facility are literacy, high school equivalency, special education, carpentry, coding, core, welding, culinary arts, and auto tech.
“It’s like giving them a second chance and a leg up. Just when they get out, you know, they have a lot of things that they’re going to have to deal with when they get out and so this just provides them and avenue to where they do have hope and inspiration of getting a really good job with a high paying wage that they can use to better themselves upon release,” said Amber Finnegan, State Director of Correctional Education at Ivy Tech.
