Inspiring A World of Second Chances

We exist to provide job training and healthy employment for women who are overcoming crisis like addiction, homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, and more.

We are a nonprofit social enterprise restaurant offering contemporary comfort food at our grab-and-go storefront, and creating healthy employment for women overcoming crisis through our Restorative Employment Model.

Support the Mission

We named Carroll’s Kitchen after a Raleigh couple who made it their life’s work to serve people experiencing poverty. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll were a philanthropic couple in downtown Raleigh in the early 20th century. Mr. Carroll opened a soup kitchen during the Spanish flu outbreak in Raleigh, understanding he had the ability to fill some gaps for struggling families. After Mr. Carroll later died in 1918 from the Spanish flu, Mrs. Carroll continued with their commitment to benevolence. She worked with local children's organizations, as well as Polk Prison Camp counseling prisoners, their families, and aiding a number of them to get parole and find work.

We live this legacy every day.

Founders Vicky Ismail and Jim Freeze cut the ribbon to Carroll’s Kitchen in September 2016

Opening Day

The doors of Carroll’s Kitchen opened at 19 E. Martin Street in 2016, and we began our mission of creating healthy employment for women overcoming crisis. Employment is just one part of what we do. Our grab-and-go teaching kitchen helps women develop culinary skills, individual skills, and social stability. We create a community that supports women inside and outside our kitchen.

ToDay

Since opening, we have been able to help more than 42 women (and counting!). Our Restorative Employment Model is a pathway to economic dignity for women in Raleigh overcoming crisis. Between our Leadership Team, Board of Directors, Community Partners, Volunteers, and Customers, we are dedicated to inspiring a world of dignity and purpose. Come eat with us and join our mission!

Future

Our seven years of experience have shown us that there is a great need for the kind of program we provide and more women can benefit from our mission-minded organization. With our new executive in place, we aspire to continue to operate our flagship storefront and add a commissary in the future so we can create more opportunities for more women in crisis to receive the support and encouragement they need so they can experience the stability they deserve.