Sweet Success: YWF Students Serve Veterans with Heart and Hospitality

This quarter, Youth With Faces culinary students had the honor of participating in the Dallas Legacy Mission Veterans Luncheon, a truly meaningful “Earn & Learn” experience that blended kitchen skills, community service, and heartfelt connection.

After several weeks of hands-on culinary training with Chef Alexis—covering everything from kitchen safety and cooking techniques to plating and presentation—the young men had a chance to showcase their skills at this special luncheon event. The culinary class prepared two mouthwatering desserts: a Latin-inspired Mango and Strawberry Tart and a Southern-style Fruit Trifle.

Adding a fun twist to the day, the event featured a friendly competition. Teams presented their desserts to the room full of veterans, sharing the inspiration behind each dish. The tart, crafted with an oatmeal crust and cinnamon whipped cream, stood out with its bright tropical flavors. Meanwhile, the trifle featured a pineapple-strawberry cornmeal cake layered with house-made yogurt cream, offering a rich and comforting Southern touch. After tasting both creations, the veterans cast their votes. It was a tight contest, but the tart team ultimately won the title of best dessert!

This special luncheon was more than just a meal—it was a beautiful display of community collaboration and appreciation for those who have served our country. Youth With Faces was proud to be among several organizations working together to serve North Texas Veterans:

The West Dallas Multipurpose Center (WDMC) generously hosted the event, and The Last Patrol provided volunteers for the day, led by Alicia Rodriguez, DLM Program Manager.
Readers 2 Leaders students crafted handmade Father’s Day cards that were shared with the veterans, adding a warm, personal touch. Texas Health Community Hope sponsored the produce used to create the desserts and provided a door prize for the luncheon guests.
Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia’s office showed their support in person, recognizing the value of honoring our veterans.
Other incredible partners and vendors included the City of Dallas & 311, Las Madrinas Military Veteran Peer Network, Equal Opportunity Center (TRIO program for ORS), and the City of Dallas Veteran Treatment Court.

“Youth With Faces’ presence truly made a difference, and we were so happy to have them at the luncheon,” said Linda Ramirez, Executive Director of Dallas Legacy Mission. “The youth did a fantastic job with their culinary creations, and it was wonderful to see them use their talents to serve our Veterans. Providing them with that space to shine was a real joy for us.”

Events like this highlight the spirit of Youth With Faces’ mission: helping justice-involved youth build the life skills, confidence, and purpose needed to succeed. For our culinary students, this wasn’t just an exercise in cooking—it was a chance to give back, build relationships, and be seen as valuable contributors to the community. We are grateful to the Dallas Legacy Mission for inviting us to participate in this meaningful event.