Tayler’s Journey: A Fresh Start with Giving Kitchen

For 20 years, Tayler honed her baking skills at home before stepping into the food service industry. Tayler enjoys both working for her own bakery and in commercial kitchens as an accomplished Pastry Chef.

TW: This story contains references to a traumatic assault and domestic violence, which may be distressing to some readers. Please take care when reading.

She heard about Giving Kitchen through her Stability Network Partner, GigPro. This employee services app provides opportunities for employment in the food and beverage industry across hotels, caterers, restaurants, retirement communities, and more. Its goal is to provide working environments, schedules, and hourly pay that support each individual to live a healthy lifestyle in their work/life balance while increasing their skill sets, furthering their employment opportunities, and getting the pay they deserve.

In early 2024, Tayler faced a life-altering crisis. She survived a traumatic assault that left her with injuries to her foot and leg. While defending against the assailant, who had a notorious criminal record, Tayler’s physical injuries healed slowly, yet the emotional scars ran deep. The months that followed were marked by a challenging recovery, both physically and mentally. Between the financial strain brought about by medical bills and the exhausting legal process, Tayler found herself struggling to keep up with her rent and utilities.

The challenges of 2024 led Tayler to a point where she had exhausted all her savings. Despite the adversity, Tayler’s resilient spirit remained unbroken. It was in May that she turned to Giving Kitchen for help with housing assistance.

Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance to food service workers, became a valuable resource for Tayler. Through its Stability Network and financial programs and the compassionate guidance of her case manager, Tayler navigated the application process for financial assistance with newfound hope. Her journey was made smoother by her case manager’s consistent support— transforming a difficult task into a manageable one.

With financial assistance on the way, Tayler received the much-needed support to cover her rent, fees, and utility bills. This support was not just a financial relief, but a reaffirmation that she wasn’t alone. Tayler’s family and friends sighed in relief, grateful that she had found solid ground amidst the chaos as she worked on filing a restraining order.

Additionally, the resources provided through the Stability Network offered Tayler valuable leads on housing options, giving her something to hope for despite the competitive housing market. This small light at the end of a dark tunnel helped Tayler inch closer to stability.

Reflecting on her journey, Tayler shares a profound insight: To heal, one must first experience pain. The assistance from Giving Kitchen wasn’t merely about financial support—it allowed Tayler to regain focus on her holistic healing journey. She was now open to the mental and emotional resources that were once consumed with worries about eviction or financial instability.

Today, Tayler is on a path of healing and renewal, drawing strength from the challenges she’s overcome. The foundation provided by Giving Kitchen has allowed her to embrace life’s intricate balance of pain and recovery with resilience. Everything, as Tayler says, is coming together for good.

For anyone hesitant to ask for help, Tayler’s message rings clear: “A crisis is the perfect time to seek assistance. You may need a helping hand to stabilize again.” When Tayler discovered Giving Kitchen’s mission to support food industry workers, she felt a wave of gratitude. “These workers, often the backbone of communities, finally had an organization to stand with them.”

“Giving Kitchen gives ‘Tayler Made’ fresh start,” Tayler concludes, encapsulating the essence of hope and renewal that Giving Kitchen brings to countless lives in the food service industry. And in this narrative of adversity and triumph, there is a warm reminder that no one in this community is ever truly alone.