Press Kit
Origin & Summary
Southern California-based nonprofit founded in 2019 by husband and wife team Yves and Jody Masquéfa
Past experience includes 40+ years in the restaurant business and non-profit rescue work in Ukraine and Kenya
Kherut is a name inspired by the Hebrew phrase meaning “from slavery to freedom”
Focused on delivering education, mentorship, and long-term employment opportunities to marginalized women
Team members develop skills working within Kherut and its food service platform, Savor: Great Food. Greater Good
The organization is partnered with other non-profits such as Grandma’s House of Hope, Teen Project/Vera’s Sanctuary, Waymakers, Salvation Army, Casa Teresa and I Sanctuary
Founder Bios
Yves Masquéfa
Executive Director
Yves has enjoyed a successful career for more than 40 years in the restaurant industry. He began working when he was fourteen years old as a busboy and has worked his way through every position in a restaurant. Since then, he has excelled in the industry, having owned his establishment for 30 years. Yves is an excellent cyclist and enjoys the competitive nature and extreme physical challenges of the sport. Yves’ passion is cooking and serving others, and his vision is the driving force behind KHERUT.
Jody Masquéfa
Director of Operations
Jody enjoys a successful HR and administrative career running the family restaurant in Anaheim alongside Yves and other corporate and non-profit environments. She launched Love Letters Food Box, a non-profit serving families with loved ones at Children’s Hospital of Orange County with daily meals. A mother of two grown girls, Jody shares a common vision with Yves to serve the disadvantaged and disenfranchised in the U.S. and globally. KHERUT's mission and vision are the perfect expression of her heart and talent.
Logotypes
Kherut Logo White on Black Background Square
Color Kherut Transparent Logo
Kherut Logo White on Green Background
Kherut Logo Small Black on Transparent
Kherut White with Transparent Background.
Mission Statement
Kherut is a non-profit empowering survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, imprisonment, and young women aging out of foster care in a safe and supportive environment.
Partners such as Waymakers, Salvation Army, OC United, Casa Teresa, Mercy House, Teen Project/Vera’s Sanctuary, and Access California refer survivors into Kherut’s 420-hour paid training program. Programs include cooking, catering, event planning, menu design, social media, customer service, bookkeeping, inventory control, marketing, sales, and problem-solving. Team members then apply their skills within SAVOR - Great Food. Greater Good., a social enterprise food services platform.
Kherut provides an opportunity for survivors to advance within the organization while acquiring skills and experience that lead to success and independence for the rest of their lives.