In a recent episode of Friends, soon-to-be newlyweds Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Mike (Paul Rudd) briefly flirted with the idea of giving the money that they would spend on a wedding to a children’s hospital. But when their friends balked at the idea of giving up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a big, fancy wedding, they asked for their money back and eventually began planning their big day. There were moments of guilt and anguish regarding the final decision, but ultimately, in typical Friends fashion, the two decided to put themselves before the less fortunate, at least with regard to their wedding.

But other people are finding a way to both help the less fortunate and have the wedding of their dreams simultaneously. And they don’t have to donate their wedding gifts to do so.

Apparently, an increasing number of programs are training homeless or formerly homeless people in the culinary arts so that they can earn money by helping cater weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and other events. As  Danna Harman writes:

Under the auspices of Community Family Life Services, New Course takes homeless people, former inmates, and recovering addicts through a 16-week culinary course. During that time they get a $60-a-week stipend and on-the-job training in a cafeteria (New Course runs the US Tax Courts cafeteria), in a popular downtown restaurant (”3rd and Eats“), and with the catering operation itself.

More than 300 students have graduated from this training program since its launch 12 years ago, and about 80 percent have found jobs in the culinary field. The catering business, which started seven years ago, is earning $200,000 a year and is beginning to make its mark in the competitive and crowded Washington catering field, taking on everything from 500-person weddings to small ”power breakfasts.“

But the skills learned here go beyond the kitchen, says Jeannine Sanford, director of New Course’s classroom training and employment. Students take classes on self-esteem, time management, work ethics, and team building.

”They are learning how to respect themselves and others,“ says Ms. Sanford, ”… and this will stand them in good stead no matter what they do.“

As a prerequisite to joining this program (and also Fresh Start), enrollees must be sober, have stable living conditions, and be ready to make a commitment to helping themselves. About half of each class drops out before the end of the training, unable to meet these demands, says Mr. Doscher.

Laura Nathan-Garner