'DINING FOR A CAUSE,' Lonely Planet, Dec 2009 - STREETS International has just one restaurant for now, but they envision taking this venture and replicating it on a global scale. The revenue of the commercial ‘teaching’ restaurant will ultimately support and fund the associated training facility, housing, medical and other community services for the street kid participants.

The founder and president of STREETS, Neal Bermas, has ties with the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. The kids participating at the STREETS Restaurant will undergo the same training - and 18-month curriculum - as students at ICE. As they move through the program, they’ll work in every area of the restaurant, from front-of-house duties to cooking to management. They’ll also have a great support system with medical care, English lessons, and basic life skills courses. And when they’re finished, the kids will graduate with certification that will allow them to apply for jobs in top hotels.