This Fine-Dining Restaurant Has Hired Over 200 Former Criminals. None Have Re-Offended

January 11, 2017

A fine dining restaurant in Cleveland, OH, is all about giving people second chances.

good news 2017

Edwins, a French restaurant that opened in 2013, is believed to be the only upscale restaurant in the U.S. where ex-offenders make up a majority of the staff.

More than 200 ex-convicts have gone through a six-month rotation at Edwins and not one has re-offended - with 90% of them gaining permanent employment.

Restaurant owner Brandon Chrostowski says he wants to give former criminals a second chance at life.

"I was a reckless teenager, and one night, I was arrested and thrown in jail," said Chrostowski. "Fortunately, I had a judge who gave me a break instead of 10 years in prison. While I was on probation, I met a chef who mentored me - and once I was in the kitchen, I knew that's where I belonged for the rest of my life."

Edwins provides 40-50 hours of training each week for six months. The "students" receive a weekly payment, as well as tips from diners.

Going even further, Chrostowski launched a dormitory for his employees when he noticed that not having decent, affordable housing in the area kept many of his students from acheiving stability.

"Edwins is a family. There's a spirit here where we're in this together. To have a second chance is to have a new life. And if you're ready to work hard, you can change the stars."

(h/t) pressunion


feel good videoDogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious

feel good storiesPeople Are Posting the Ugliest Photos of Their Cats and It’s Hilarious

feel good storiesEngland Fan Uses $13,000 That He Saved for His First Home to Take His Grandad to the World Cup Instead

feel good storiesWhen My Cat Got Summoned for Jury Duty

feel good videoSeven Bears Caught on Camera in Montana, 10 Found the Next Day

feel good videoThe Best Lesson On Winning I've Ever Heard

feel good videoPolice Officer Responds To Abuse Call, And Leaves With A Daughter

feel good videoHe Packed a Christmas Shoebox at Age 7... Then 14 Years Later She Found Him

feel good videoMotorcyclist Sees a Man in Distress and Decides to Stop. It May Have Saved His Life