I KNEW I FOUND MY PURPOSE:
I experienced homelessness when I was 21 years old.
A Good Samaritan took pity on me. He fed me and paid for me to stay in a kitchenette hotel for three weeks. It was the break I needed to restart my life. I knew this Good Samaritan for hours, but him blessing me with changed my life.
I started Other Side Ministries as an idea and a Facebook event. I and a handful of others served the homeless in front of a shelter in Phoenix. It was the most humbling experience. The elation on everyone’s faces reflected their appreciation. I knew I found my purpose.
Other Side Ministries began serving our community in January 2016 and became a non-profit in April 2017. Our unhoused and food insecure outreaches have stretched Phoenix, Mesa and now Apache Junction. We have provided over 18,000 meals to our community. While our job training and student run catering company has provided placement and income to many of those we serve.
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a love-based ministry providing HOPE for our community though meals, resources, connections and education.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create a community where no one is in need.
CORE VALUES
We are dedicated to our community. We accept everyone as they are. We empower people. We are innovative in how we serve.
our history
We began serving the homeless in January 2016 and became a non-profit April 2017. We originally served the homeless on the streets of Phoenix while developing A New Beginning, our culinary job training and mentorship program for the low income and homeless community.
In September of 2018 our dream of A New Beginning became a reality. We began renting kitchen space at 659 E Main Street, Mesa, 85203. To further develop A New Beginning.
On April 11th, 2019, we began our inaugural class. Over each course we provide each student a food handler’s card, teach knife skills and how to work at each station in a professional kitchen.
The students learn hands on how to read and scale recipes and become familiar with all professional equipment in a kitchen such as broilers, grills, deep fryers and convection ovens.
The students participate in outreach event to gain real world experience and give back to the community. Each student learns culinary language and professionalism so they may enter the workforce prepared to work in a fast-paced kitchen. In addition to lessons in the kitchen our students are also provided interview skills and resume writing classes.
In March of 2020 as businesses shut down, we shifted our focus to providing food boxes to the home bound and people in need
In June of 2020 we were blessed to become community partners with Genesis Project in Apache Junction. We not only have a bimonthly outreach but teach our class at Genesis Project.
In 2020 we created our student run catering company. This social enterprise is a great way for our students to gain real-world experience and get paid to do it. Empowering our students to take their lives back through an opportunity to learn and earn. Specializing in corporate and private catering, our delicious comfort food will exceed you and your guest’s needs. Choose from our handcrafted menu or work with our chef to create the perfect menu for your event. Have a food allergy or eat a specific diet? We can create that for you too!
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Rev Chef Jason Taylor C.D.M. C.F.P.P is a 30-year veteran of the culinary field working his way up through the ranks in high volume restaurants, catering, health care, and higher education. He has cooked for many high-profile clients but finds his greatest joy in teaching and sharing his passion for food with you.
SUPPORT OTHER SIDE MINISTRIES
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