Macon, GA — Chef Jay Stancill
knows his way around a kitchen but is equally comfortable in the classroom.
Stancill has been instrumental in the success of a culinary arts training
program at Helms College, an initiative of Goodwill Industries of Middle
Georgia and the CSRA. For innovation in developing educational opportunities
for the people Goodwill® serves, Stancill is the 2012 recipient of the Robert
E. and Charlotte Watkins Award for Excellence in Mission Advancement, an annual
honor bestowed by Goodwill Industries International.
In
addition to developing the culinary arts curriculum for the certificate,
diploma and associate's degree programs, Stancill set up the program's
infrastructure, developed policies and procedures that led to national
accreditation as a post-secondary vocational college, and trained faculty and
instructors. Today, he also manages two hospitality operations where students
get real-life culinary arts experience: Edgar's Bistro, an upscale restaurant;
and the food service program at the Anderson Conference Center, which has the
capacity to serve up to 1,000 guests.
Stancill
states, "It has been a blessing to be a part of Helms College's ground breaking
program recognizing the need to build
viable communities through education.
This program is unlike any other because it actively promotes lending a
helping hand to those individuals with barriers to employment and does not turn
them away. Helms Career Institute has
allowed me to be in a position of giving back on a daily basis."
"Jay's
leadership and vision helped Goodwill realize a dream of providing occupational
skills training that leads to meaningful careers in a high-demand industry,"
said Jim Stiff, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. "The
portable credentials that students receive at Helms College give them an
advantage in a tough economy."
Last
year, 87 students completed almost 25,000 hours of training and 67 graduates of
the program found jobs in the hospitality industry.
"The
culinary arts program has been instrumental in helping the unemployed and
underemployed, and those with disabilities and other workplace disadvantages,
realize the American dream," said Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill
Industries International. "Jay Stancill is a deserving recipient of an award
dedicated to innovation in advancing Goodwill's mission of putting people to
work."
Stancill
received his award at Goodwill's annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Miami, FL,
on June 24.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Robert E. and
Charlotte Watkins Award for Mission Advancement honors a Goodwill leader (CEO,
staff or volunteer) who has made an innovative contribution (service or
process) to the advancement of the Goodwill mission.
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