Interview with Shaquanna Cody-McGrew from BronxWorks
It’s been more than 10 years since FamilyCook Productions and BronxWorks became acquainted through our Chefs for Change, healthy bodega project! Our program offered mini grants to community organizations working with middle and high school students to use youth as change agents in bodegas to steer customers to more healthy food choices. As time went on, we trained BronxWorks team members to teach Teen Battle Chef and, during COVID, we supported TBC programming virtually and now as a summer SYEP activity for youth 14/15. We collaborate on a hybrid model, with kids learning to cook virtually two days a week and one day they enjoy cooking together in person. We’ve also collaborated on our early childhood initiative, Nibble with Willow. Most recently, we initiated a workforce development program with BronxWorks as our anchor human services/SYEP youth provider. CHEF (culinary health education force) supports unemployed youth post high school with culinary training and entry level culinary employment as a financial stabilizer while introducing them to further educational opportunities to build a career objective. In its’ its third year, CHEF’s track record averages 75% of participating youth exiting the program with a job or in college/training program or both!
We sat down with BronxWorks Director of Adult Literacy, SYEP, WLG, Youth Workforce Development Shaquanna Cody-McGrew to learn from her perspective how collaboration has enhanced the outcomes achieved in this array of programming.
Human Services work is challenging on many levels. What brought you to this field of work at BronxWorks?
As the saying goes, “when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life.” From the very beginning of my career, I felt a true calling to serve and a deep passion for helping to strengthen my community. When I joined BronxWorks in 2014, I was a Bronx resident eager to be part of an agency whose mission aligned with my personal values. I had already been working in human services for over seven years, but BronxWorks became the place where I could truly “hang my hat.” Since then, I’ve grown both personally and professionally, and the organization continues to be a space where I can fulfill my purpose.
What are the most rewarding aspects about your work?
The most rewarding part of my work is witnessing growth—both big and small—in the lives of program participants. Whether it’s a young person learning a new skill, securing their first permanent job, or taking steps toward independence, being part of that journey is incredibly fulfilling. Helping youth build confidence and move closer to self-sufficiency is what makes this work so meaningful.
How does collaborating with FamilyCook Productions align with your program goals and the overall BronxWorks mission?
Our collaboration with FamilyCook through the Teen Battle Chef (TBC) program has greatly enriched the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at BronxWorks. TBC provides younger participants, ages 14 and 15, with hands-on learning about nutrition, healthy living, and cooking skills. The program is fun, interactive, and culturally diverse—it not only teaches youth how to cook but also introduces them to new foods and empowers them to make healthier choices within their own communities. These efforts directly align with the BronxWorks mission to feed, teach, and improve the economic and social well-being of today’s youth.
We first introduced Teen Battle Chef to BronxWorks youth ten years ago. More recently we partnered with you and the SYEP Team to work directly with the young adults. What are some of the benefits of the program? What are some of the success stories shared by the team?
Over the last three years, SYEP at BronxWorks has partnered with FamilyCook to bring TBC to our younger youth as a project-based learning experience. The impact has been remarkable. Youth genuinely enjoy learning how to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families, and the program has expanded their horizons in unexpected ways. A highlight has been the field trips—to Little Italy, Whole Foods, and Union Square’s farmers market—where I’ve seen participants transform from hesitant, picky eaters into adventurous tasters eager to try new foods. These experiences not only broaden their palates but also help them build confidence and curiosity.
This is FamilyCook’s 3rd year partnering with BronxWorks in CHEF, our workforce development program for older youth. How do you think the history between our organizations has impacted the program results?
The strong and long-standing relationship between FamilyCook and BronxWorks has been key to the success of the CHEF initiative. Our shared respect for each other’s expertise, coupled with a mutual commitment to serving youth, has created a solid foundation for collaboration. This history has allowed us to seamlessly integrate resources and strategies, resulting in more impactful programming and richer outcomes for the young people we serve.
How has our partnership with the CHEF program enhanced the opportunities for young adults to have better job experiences and begin to develop professional career goals?
The CHEF program has opened doors for SYEP participants ages 18–24 by providing intensive skill-building opportunities in the culinary field. Through hands-on training and mentorship, youth gain both technical skills and valuable workplace experience, with the ultimate goal of connecting them to permanent employment. In addition to culinary training, participants receive career planning support, including guidance on post-secondary education and vocational pathways. When the CHEF program was piloted in 2023, its success led to an expansion across other SYEP providers, amplifying its impact and exposing more young people to career trajectories in the culinary industry. This partnership has also diversified our SYEP worksite portfolio, connecting BronxWorks with a new network of culinary businesses and untapped markets—creating sustainable opportunities for our youth.
Finally, how would you distill the essence of what makes for a successful collaboration as you juggle so many shifting and changing needs in your community?
At the heart of any successful collaboration is strong, consistent communication. Both BronxWorks and FamilyCook bring a shared willingness to show up—whether day or night—to ensure program needs are met and details are addressed. But beyond logistics, what truly defines our collaboration is a shared passion and commitment to serving youth. Our ability to adapt to changing programmatic and community needs, while keeping the mission at the center, is what makes the partnership not only sustainable but impactful.
