Today we’d like to introduce you to Liberty Canzater.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Butterfly Foundation was established in 2007. As the founder and CEO of the organization, I took 2 years to develop processes and procedures for the non-profit organization. The mission of the organization is committed to the empowerment, transformation and transitioning of economically challenged individuals and families into self-sufficient and self-confident citizens. We started with one primary program providing housing to chronically homeless individuals and families in 3 counties (Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson). The housing program provided housing and life skills training through HUD funding 2009- 2019. In 2010 we started the culinary job training program. This program was created to prepare the unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated and homeless adults for a career in the foodservice/hospitality industry. In 2011 the organization was one of sixteen in the country to receive federal funding from The Department of Health and Human Services, under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, eliminating a food desert by build our current facilities on the northside of Spartanburg. We recently completed our 22nd cohort on April 28th. The culinary participants receive two national certification including the Restaurant Ready through the National Restaurant Association and the Servsafe Managers Certification in addition to hands-on kitchen training. In 2023 we opened our kitchen to serve as a commissary kitchen.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road and we have had many struggles along the way. Just to name a few… Covid created a pause in the culinary job training program. Hurricane Helene caused a temporary shutdown. However, we have been able to pivot while maintaining our commitment to our original mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the Founder and CEO of The Butterfly Foundation overseeing the day to day operations. I’m also the owner of Monarch of Spartanburg, LLC, where I coordinate the schedule for the commissary kitchen. As a proctor for Servsafe, I provide classes for Food Safety and Servsafe Managers Certification.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I really don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work and perseverance has been the key to success
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monarchofspart.com
- Facebook: Monarch Cafe’ and Fresh Food Store
