Junction Support Services

Project: From The Source
Awarded Amount: $4,000.00 | 2024 Give500 Grant
Impact Areas: Community Equity

From the Source is an 18-week community-based food literacy program designed to support at-risk young people by building education and independent living skills.

The program takes participants on a hands-on food journey—exploring where local produce comes from, how it is accessed and supplied, through to food selection and cooking. By teaching young people to create healthy, affordable, and nutritious meals, the project fosters life skills that support independence and wellbeing.

Junction identified a growing need for alternative learning opportunities for young people who struggle to engage in mainstream education. In response, they collaborated with Close Collective Café Head Chef David Kapay and Junction’s Research and Development team to design an evidence-informed solution. Food literacy programs have been shown to improve self-efficacy and strengthen community engagement—key outcomes for high-risk young people.

David Kapay brings more than 20 years’ experience as a chef, including time working with Jamie Oliver at the UK social enterprise Restaurant 15. His expertise in local agriculture, food systems, and youth training underpins the program, ensuring participants gain both practical skills and confidence for the future.