History

Our History

2009-2010

NECAT Founder Maarten Hemsley visits Manchester Bidwell in Pittsburgh and meets social entrepreneur Bill Strickland, who inspires Maarten to open a Center in Boston replicating the programs that have been running in Pittsburgh since 1968. A preliminary business plan is created, and connections are developed with potential funders and program partners.

NECAT is formed as a nonprofit corporation, and receives 501c3 approval from the IRS. Bill Pankey joins as a consultant and helps develop widespread community and political support. The Boston Foundation agrees to match the Hemsley family in funding a feasibility study. NECAT signs a Memorandum of Understanding with international foodservice company Sodexo as its culinary programming launch partner.
2011

Discussions continue with potential funders, including State Street Foundation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NECAT receives a $500,000 challenge grant from the Barr Foundation towards fitting out a Center. We are introduced to Shirley and Jim Marten, whose support continues to this day, including a $1,000,000 multi-year grant made in 2020 in response to the pandemic. Through contacts with the Patrick Administration, NECAT is awarded a $1.5 million capital grant towards the Center’s build-out.
2012

NECAT identifies rental space on Bradston Street and signs a long-term lease. Plans are developed for a “world-class” Center to mirror Bill Strickland’s philosophy that “Environment Shapes Behavior”. Lee Kennedy and Company is engaged to complete the build-out.
2013

The culinary curriculum is developed; staff are hired and the Center opens in October.
2014-2015

The program is expanded and refined, new staff are added and the list of supporters grows.
2016

Joey Cuzzi joins as Executive Director; under her leadership, NECAT becomes a sustainable, forward-looking organization with strong partnerships with employers, non-profit organizations, state and city governments and other funders.
2017

Discussions begin with Encore to develop a program in Everett to train staff for employment in food services.
2018

NECAT begins its first satellite program, in Everett High School with funding and cooperation with MASSHire, MA Gaming Commission and the City of Everett.
2019

Encore Boston Harbor opens and hires many NECAT graduates. As the profile of our students shifts to an increasingly vulnerable population, we respond by adopting a trauma-informed care model for teaching, and establish case management for all students.
2020

COVID presents a major challenge. NECAT closes for three months but all staff are retained on full salary throughout the shut-down. The impact of COVID on the hospitality industry is profound. NECAT had always been addressing the barriers to advancement affecting Black and brown communities, but when the Black Lives Matter movement gains new momentum, NECAT commits itself to ensuring its programs, policies, Board and staff are culturally reflective and responsive to the principles of social equity.
2021

NECAT launches its first Behind-the-Walls culinary training program in the Suffolk County House of Correction (SCHC), with the support of Sheriff Steve Tompkins. NECAT’s team works tirelessly to keep our program relevant to the changing needs of our participants and the industry.
2022

Post-pandemic, the demand for staff with professional culinary training expands rapidly and salaries improve well above pre-COVID levels. NECAT launches a Spanish-speaking culinary training program in East Boston in conjunction with the YMCA. NECAT’s Career & Alumni Engagement Center opens in new space in the Boston Center. Additional staff are added to guide, support, coach and mentor students and alumni with obtaining employment and becoming financially self-sufficient. In partnership with several local organizations, NECAT’s services expand to include workshops in career readiness, financial literacy, computer training and wellness.
2023

NECAT celebrates a decade of transforming lives, graduating 60+ classes, representing more than 1,300 adults, with 55 employment partners and almost fifty social service partners. From a little-known training program, NECAT is now a recognized leader in culinary and workforce development in Boston.
2024

NECAT graduates its 66th cohort and launches a Haitian-Creole culinary training program.
2025

Maddrey Goode joins as NECAT’s new Executive Director.

NECAT identifies “Ruggles Hall” in Nubian Square, Roxbury, into which it plans to move in 2027.
2026

NECAT graduates its 75th cohort.

Capital Campaign is launched to acquire and fit out Ruggles Hall.

Founder and Board President Maarten Hemsley with wife, Mavis. The Hemsley family remains involved and dedicated to NECAT’s success.

NECAT students on a visit to the State Capitol with Gov. Charlie Baker and Maarten.

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

History

Our History

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