By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A local social services organization is helping young adults find futures in the food and restaurant industry.

There are 17 young adults in the first “Culinary Connections” class, sponsored by JEVS Human Services in Philadelphia.

Program director Jill Welsh Davis says the goal is to teach students skills they can take from the kitchen into the real world.

“The way we’re doing this is by preparing the students to be line cooks, to pass the ‘Serve Safe’ certification, to have them do internships and place them in jobs,” she tells KYW Newsradio.

Davis says participants are referred from other agencies, such as Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services.

There is no cost for the 24-week program, and she expects to train 60 men and women this year.