Five programs.
One mission of
second chances.
Every program at Ooh De Lally is built to remove a barrier — to training, to wages, to housing, to opportunity. Together, they form an end-to-end pathway from incarceration to a thriving career.
Jump Start participants trained in our kitchen.
Team members served annually with thriving wages and benefits.
Never-incarcerated employees trained to support formerly incarcerated co-workers.
Participants supported with housing and human services.
Jump Start Participants
Jump Start
Ooh De Lally is proud to partner with Metropolitan Community College's 180 Re-Entry Assistance Program and The Institute for Culinary Arts to offer vocational training for formerly incarcerated individuals. Our Jump Start Program provides hands-on culinary training in a supportive, real-world restaurant environment.
Participants work 32 hours per week at Ooh De Lally, honing skills in food preparation, service, and kitchen operations. They also spend 8 hours per week on MCC's Fort Omaha Campus receiving classes in financial literacy, digital literacy, parenting, peer support, and trauma-informed care.
This practical experience, combined with the 180 RAP curriculum, equips participants with the tools to build sustainable careers in the culinary industry.
Served Annually
Thriving Wage
At Ooh De Lally, we champion fair employment for all. As a Felony Friendly Employer, we ensure both formerly incarcerated and never-incarcerated staff receive competitive wages that enhance their quality of life.
Our comprehensive benefits, including employer-sponsored health insurance, promote financial stability and well-being. By valuing every team member's contributions, we create a workplace where everyone thrives, fostering community and mutual respect.
At Ooh De Lally, we're not just serving meals—we're building foundations of stability for our team.
Never-incarcerated employees trained to support formerly incarcerated co-workers
Second Chance Employment
Ooh De Lally's second chance employment is central to our mission. We hire formerly incarcerated individuals, providing stable jobs in a professional kitchen where they gain hands-on culinary and hospitality skills—preparation, cooking, pastry, and service—under Executive Chef Doug Case.
These roles offer structure, accountability, purpose, and a supportive environment, building confidence and self-sufficiency.
Stable employment significantly reduces recidivism, proving that meaningful work and targeted support rebuild lives and strengthen communities.
Participants
Housing & Human Support
Ooh De Lally offers comprehensive Housing and Human Support to formerly incarcerated employees. We assist with essential needs like setting up utility accounts, sourcing furniture, and navigating landlord communications.
Our program also provides access to heavily discounted “non-market” housing units owned by generous partners, ensuring stable and affordable homes for program participants.
By addressing these foundational needs, we empower our employees to focus on their personal and professional growth, creating a pathway to long-term success and independence.
Public & Private Advocacy
Ooh De Lally is dedicated to advocating for equal opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through speaking engagements, community events, and meetings, we promote the message that everyone deserves a chance at a better life after serving their time.
We encourage licensing authorities, housing providers, professional organizations, and employers to reconsider exclusionary policies—and urge policymakers to support equitable employment opportunities.
Our goal is to inspire change and foster a more inclusive society.
Be part of someone's second chance.
Whether you donate, partner, hire, or share a meal — every action helps build the pathway from incarceration to opportunity. Reach out, and let's build it together.