Our name is inspired by the Hebrew phrase mi’avdut le’cherut • ”from slavery to freedom” • מעבדות לחירות
Kherut’s Origin
After witnessing the horrors of sex-trafficking in Ukraine and Kenya, Yves and Jody Masquéfa returned home to Orange County to find sex-trafficking was happening to Americans in their own backyard. They met with local law enforcement and victim’s organizations and uncovered the missing link to permanent change: training and long term employment opportunities in a safe and understanding workplace environment tailored to survivors. However, after more research they began to understand that real impact begins with prevention. Because of that, Kherut opened up workforce training and job skills opportunities to other women who have faced incredible life challenges. Now, using 40+ years of experience in the restaurant business, they built a business model to fill this gap for women survivors of domestic violence, imprisonment, rape, homelessness, young women aging out of foster care; all vulnerable populations traffickers are targeting. With the opportunity to work without judgement of their pasts, these women can find hope for a new future!
Kherut’s Vision
Our innovative solution includes building commissary kitchens that support private and corporate catering, cooking events, and daily food service operations—creating sustainable, skill-building opportunities for survivors.
In partnership with organizations such as Grandma’s House of Hope, Waymakers, The Salvation Army, Casa Teresa, and Access California, participants enter a 420-hour paid workforce and job skills training program. Participants gain hands-on experience in food services including, catering, event planning, menu design, social media, customer service, bookkeeping, inventory control, marketing, sales, and business problem-solving.
Graduates of the program have the option to grow within Kherut or leave with the skills, experience, and professional references needed to succeed in the workforce and live independently.
Kherut’s long-term vision is to replicate this model—because every city has the need—to create pathways out of exploitation and into economic independence for women across the country.