DV8 Digest - September 2026 | | |
DV8 Kitchen was developed and operates as a second chance employment opportunity for people who are trying to redirect their lives. People in the early stages of substance abuse recovery often find it difficult to find employers willing to take a chance on them.
We believe providing employment at DV8 Kitchen can lead to a lifetime ability to gain and maintain employment and deviate from their past lifestyle.
DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, Inc. is a 501(3)c. Our mission is to provide relational employment and community for extraordinary people in active recovery while helping reduce the stigma of addiction.
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What We've Been Up To
Our 9th Annual DV8 kayaking trip was a success! We look forward to paddling down the Elkhorn with this crew every year, and it’s become one of our favorite traditions. A massive thank you to Canoe Kentucky for making it possible!
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2026 DV8K Life-Changing Run presented by Gray
Two BIG thumbs up for the 2026 DV8K Life-Changing Run presented by Gray! The 8th annual life-changing run was so much fun, and we’re forever grateful for everyone who helped fundraise for the DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation Inc. Thank you to all the runners, walkers, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers for making the day possible! We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Thanks to YOU, we are able to continue our work providing relational employment and community for extraordinary people in recovery, while reducing the stigma of addiction.
| | Thank you to Peer House, LLC! | | We had the best night ever on August 13 at our Crank & Boom Takeover! Thank you to the C&B team for crafting delicious treats, and thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy and pick up your race packet! | | |
Unveiling this beautiful work of art was such a highlight of the evening. Thanks to DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, Inc. Board Member, Ozlem Davis, the wall piano at our East End location got a major upgrade.
Peer House, LLC commissioned the piano project, and we were so excited to unveil the finished design. Thank you to artist Christopher Fisher for creating such an awesome design, and to musicians Josh Gambrell and Meg Raymer-Brown for treating us to a live performance. Come check it out for yourself next time you visit!
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Introducing our inaugural event: Baking with the Stars
Some bake for fun. Some bake for a living. Now, bake to change a life.
A community bake-off hosted by DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, Inc. celebrating recovery, relationships, and second chances is coming this February. This joyful, high-visibility event will bring Lexington leaders and supporters together to bake, share stories, and support recovery-ready employment.
Right now, we're looking for sponsors to help us pull off this night of fun for a good cause!
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The inaugural Baking with the Stars is coming up on the evening of February 4. A DV8 baker will host Cookie Tasting Stations. Join us to sample gourmet milks, coffee, and ice cream, take part in a silent auction, and watch our judges crown the winner of the popular vote and best cookie.
Keep an eye on our social media to meet The Stars and purchase your ticket to the Cookie Tasting Event. You’ll also have the chance to vote for your favorite through our Facebook page. All proceeds will support our Employee Success Program.
| | A special thank you to our Title Sponsor: | | | |
Employee Highlight: Zach
When Zach came to the Shepherd’s House in March 2025, he knew he was starting over. Originally from Maryland, Zach spent most of his life growing up in Kentucky. He struggled with addiction starting as a teenager. Zach first began using drugs he was selling at 17, surrounded by friends who were also using. Over time, addiction became a larger part of his life, eventually leading to incarceration and a decision to enter the Shepherd’s House as part of his recovery.
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Starting over was not easy. When Zach arrived at the Shepherd’s House he didn’t have a job, transportation, clothes, or many of the things he needed to build a stable life. He knew, though, that he wanted to work, so he began putting the pieces back together. While at the Shepherd’s House, a house manager told Zach about DV8.
On his first day working in the back of the house at DV8, Zach says he was simply grateful to have a job and the opportunity to work again. He walked through the doors in March 2025.
“I just knew that I was starting over,” Zach remembers. “I just wanted to work as much as possible and try to get my life back together. I was just kind of glad to have a job and be back to work.”
He had previous restaurant experience, but DV8 gave him a chance to rebuild more than just his resume. He started on grill then learned the egg station. He quickly learned the pantry station and eventually found his place on the “build” station. He now helps prepare food, trains new employees, and answers questions while keeping up with the fast-paced demands of the kitchen.
“I just begin to feel better, more secure,” Zach shared. “I had income coming in and I was able to working and start saving money and stuff, so I could take care of all the things I need to take care of.”
Through consistent work, Zach says he’s moving closer to one of his goals of living independently. For him, that progress represents more than financial stability; it’s evidence that his life is moving forward.
When asked what makes DV8 different compared to his other jobs, Zach says it comes down to “accountability and community.”
“It reminds me more often, like every day, I just realize I'm still in recovery and I'm still working towards my goals,” Zach said. “It's just a reminder of that, really. There’s a lot more support at DV8 and it’s a big reminder of what I’m doing and what I’m working towards.”
He says recovery has changed his life in many ways, teaching him to cope with challenges differently and giving him a new outlook on his future. When it comes to his plans, right now, Zach says he hopes to be working with cars one day, whether that means detailing, repairs, or window tinting. He knows his plans may change, but for now, Zach’s focused on continuing to build a life that gives him options.
His advice to someone considering recovery is simple: “give it a chance.” Zach did, and he says the experience has changed his life. As he continues working toward his goals, he is building something he once didn’t have — a stable foundation and the freedom to decide what comes next. Zach has an amazing work ethic! He does things right. We’re so proud of his hard work and honored to call him a part of the DV8 family!
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We know it's only September, but the holidays will be here before you know it! As the season approaches, we need YOUR help!
One of our favorite things to do around the holidays is spend time together and show gratitude for everyone who has worked with us, volunteered with us, supported us, dined with us, and encouraged us. This year, we are asking for your help showing gratitude to our amazing employees!
We are collecting $25 gift cards to use as stocking stuffers for our employees. If you feel called to help, we're specifically looking for gift cards that any of our employees could use. For example: gas cards, grocery store cards, restaurants, etc.
If you are interested in helping out this holiday season, please reach out to Morgan by emailing morgan@dv8kitchen.com or calling 859-475-1482. You are also welcome to drop off a gift card donation at either DV8 location next time you visit us!
We are so appreciative of your support for our mission and our people. Thank you!
| | We want to show you how much we love you and appreciate your support! Join our new loyalty program to unlock special deals and discounts when you purchase. Just enter your email (no need to fill out the card number) to get started and earn 30 bonus points! | | Donor Dive: More from Morgan | | |
It’s been an exciting summer at DV8, and we’re incredibly grateful for all the ways our community continues to show up for our mission!
🏃 DV8K Life-Changing Run
Our 8th Annual DV8K Life-Changing Run was held on August 15 at Keeneland, and what a morning it was! Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, sponsored, formed a team, or simply showed up to support DV8. I’m incredibly grateful for the 530 runners, 15 vendors, countless volunteers, and our Board members who came together to make the morning such a success. We raised $87,562 thanks to all of your support!
💛 Grati-Tuesdays
We spent some time showing our DV8K sponsors some love this summer and now, this fall, we’re excited to ramp up our Grati-Tuesdays and spend more time out in the community thanking the businesses, organizations, and individuals who support DV8. We’ll be making our way around Lexington with DV8 treats and lots of gratitude, so don’t be surprised if we stop by to say hello! If you are interested in having us come visit you and share about what we do, please reach out!
🙋 Volunteer With Us
We’d love to see more of you at DV8 this fall! We have opportunities for individuals, businesses, families, and groups to give their time and get a closer look at our mission in action. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved, reach out and we’ll find an opportunity that’s a good fit.
🎄 Christmas Stockings Are Coming!
One of our favorite traditions will be here before we know it! Each Christmas, we fill stockings for our DV8 employees, and our community plays a huge role in making that possible by donating $25 gift cards. Please let me know if you are interested in donating this year!
I’m incredibly grateful to be in my third year with the Perez family, our Board of Directors, the amazing DV8 staff, and this community. If we haven’t had the chance to connect yet, I’d truly love to meet you, hear why you care about DV8, and learn what you’d love to see from us in the future.
Interested in volunteering, Christmas stockings, or getting more involved with DV8? I’d love to hear from you! You can always reach me at morgan@dv8kitchen.com.
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Come check out our newest monthly specials:
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Blackberry Cinnamon Roll
- Pepper Jam Chicken Sandwich
- Sweet Potato Fries with Marshmallow Ketchup
| | Get to know more about the mission of DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, Inc. every Monday with our new Mission Minutes series! Co-owner Rob Perez dives into different elements of second chance employment and life-changing food. | | From wedding rehearsals to graduation parties to birthday celebrations and beyond, we love getting to serve you on your special day! We offer catering and private event space rentals at both DV8 locations to accommodate what you're looking for, and now we have a website to walk you through the inquiry and booking process! | | |
Check Out Our TikTok
Great content from both of our locations are now coming to your FYP page! Find us at @DV8Kitchen and give us a follow! If you come into either restaurant, show us your follow for 10% off OR you screenshot and send it to morgan@dv8kitchen.com along with your address to get an $8 off coupon mailed to you!
| | Click the logo below to check out our page and give us a follow: | | |
We are GR8FULL for our generous donors! Did you know we have a monthly giving program?
This program is designed to empower our employees with the tools they need not only to thrive in their current roles at DV8 Kitchen but also to succeed in the future. Your consistent monthly contributions could support things like:
- $21 provides a uniform for one employee
- $22 to send one employee to attend a DV8 Life Skill Workshop
- $23 to cover Employee Food Safety Certificate fees
- $24 to provide one peer mentor session
For under $25 a month, you can ensure the continuation of all the above support for a team member for over a year! Your commitment will not only provide for their immediate needs but also contribute to advancing their career goals and furthering our vision – where everyone in recovery can find meaningful employment.
| | To sign up, click the button below and check the box that says “Show my support by making this a recurring donation” under the donation amount (picture above). | |
Host a workshop
Employees at DV8 Kitchen attend bi-weekly workshops designed to teach life skills, enrich their life experiences, help create a positive work environment and build community.
We are always looking to partner with wonderful community members to host these workshops. If you'd like to get involved, you can contact Rob at rob@dv8kitchen.com.
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Volunteer
We could not do the work we do without help from our incredible volunteers. Are you interested in volunteering your time? Please reach out to Melissa Dean at dean7189@bellsouth.net to get connected with a way to serve!
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Prayer
Faith is at the core of what we do. We are eternally grateful for every prayer over our team, our community partners, our guests, our food, and our mission.
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Give
We love being able to provide uniforms, food handlers cards and various items for our awesome people who work at DV8. To do so, we can always use your help. Here's how:
- Venmo: @dv8kitchen
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Online: Visit our website (DV8Kitchen.com/give) to give
- By Mail: Send a check to
405 Ridgeway Rd.
Lexington, KY 40502
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