Inside the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, 22 men in graduation caps sit in metal folding chairs. Some wear black chef coats; some wear gray warehouse vests. All of them have something to be proud of. For many of these men, this moment represents a turning point. It’s their chance to rebuild confidence, celebrate skills learned, and begin imagining a different future. 

These are the most recent graduates of the In2Work program, workforce development partnership between the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and Aramark. On March 4, leadership from FCSO and Aramark celebrated training completion in one of two career tracks: ServeSafe food service management and warehouse supply chain and logistics certification.  

For Chief Deputy Sheriff of Operations Lt. Col. Nicholas Andraise, the milestone reflects more than strong enrollment.

“This is the largest graduating class for the In2Work program, which is a testament to the partnership we have fostered with Aramark,” he said. “Programs like In2Work are more than job skills and job training. It’s about restoring confidence in yourselves, providing opportunity, and setting you up for success when you re-enter the community.” 

Over the course of 60 to 90 days, participants learned real-world skills used in professional kitchens and distribution facilities. They learn everything from food safety standards and kitchen management to inventory control, supply chain logistics, and stock rotation. The certifications, recognized by the National Restaurant Association and industry partners, can open doors to employment once participants return to the community. 

One graduate described how seeing the supply chain process in action reinforced the lessons they had studied.

“Witnessing the culmination of our coursework applied in real time is motivating and reaffirming,” he said, noting that the program created a culture of accountability and pride in the work they performed. 

Kristin Sanseverino, the Food Service and Commissary Director at the Adult Detention Center, has watched many participants grow through the program.

“Today is exciting,” she said. “We’ve been working with and teaching these guys for quite some time. It’s a new start for them, a new path. The certification opens doors for them, and it’s something they can add to their resume to show their time well spent. I’m very proud of the hard work each of them has done.” 

A Culture of Change

During the graduation ceremony, several participants shared their experience in the program and their gratitude for the opportunity. And some shared that the program helped them see possibilities beyond their past mistakes.

David spoke candidly about needing to forge a new path in life once he’s released. He said earning the warehouse certification gave him a new way forward and will provide him with the networking he’ll need as he figures out that path one day at a time. 

“My biggest concern since the day I entered this facility has been how I will provide for my family when I leave,” he said. “This class provides a pathway to employment.” 

Proof the Program Works

A former participant and graduate of the ServeSafe In2Work program, Dominique, briefly returned to the ADC to inspire the newest graduates. He shared that he knows firsthand how powerful opportunity can be. After completing the program and earning his ServeSafe certification, he built a culinary career that led him to become the head chef at the IFF Center of Excellence, a recovery facility that serves first responders.

“It works,” Dominique told the graduates. “It’s what you make it. It’s about your vision and your goal. And you’ve gotta do the work.”

Another graduate of the program, Abraham, has spent several years working within the detention center’s kitchen operations. He recently became the first inmate to work 40 weeks at an hourly wage, Monday through Friday. He said he’s been able to pay restitution, send financial support home, and save money — all while mentoring others.

“My time here has given me the opportunity to reflect on my past actions and commit myself to meaningful change,” he said. 

For Abraham, the experience has even reshaped how he views the deputies he works alongside.

“I now have professional relationships with deputies whom I once thought were my worst enemies,” he said. “That is an incredible feeling for me.” 

Building the Future One Step at a Time

Wrapping up the guest speakers, Lt. Col. Casey Lingan, Chief Deputy of Administration, reminded graduates that the most important part of their story is still ahead of them.

“Hearing everyone talk about what happened in the past can seem kind of ominous,” Lingan said. “But remember. Today is part of your past tomorrow. Focus on what you did today and make that a bigger part of your past than any mistake.” 

For the newest graduates of the In2Work program, the certificates they carried out of the room represent far more than a completed course.

They represent the first bricks in building something new.

Watch the video here.