At LMM, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild and reclaim their story. Few stories bring that mission to life more powerfully than that of LMM’s Andy Velézquez.
Andy’s journey with LMM began during his time at the Grafton Reintegration Center through our Chopping for Change program, a culinary arts initiative providing individuals who are incarcerated with vocational training, life skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. After completing the program and reentering the community, Andy did more than just rebuild his life: He came back to LMM to help others do the same.
Today, Andy is a vital member of LMM’s Workforce Development team, mentoring individuals who face barriers to employment, including justice involvement. His personal experience fuels his passion for Fair Chance Hiring and providing the kind of support to others that once empowered him.
In a recent interview, Andy opens up about the realities of reentry, the power of community, and the impact of dignity-centered work. His voice is not just one of survival. It’s one of transformation.
As we spotlight Andy’s story, we also celebrate those same values that LMM’s Workforce Development program embodies: equity, access, and redemption. Through culinary and hospitality training, career coaching, and hands-on experiences at our social enterprises like the Metro45 Food Truck, we equip individuals with the tools to succeed and thrive.
And just in time for summer, we’ve expanded our reach.
In early May, we proudly unveiled Metro45’s second food truck at Walnut Wednesday in Downtown Cleveland! This upgraded truck means more meals, more training opportunities, and more chances for the community to connect with LMM’s mission through food. Whether you’re grabbing a burger or a bowl, each bite supports workforce development, second chances, and community impact. You can now find Metro45 every Wednesday at Walnut Wednesday and at events throughout Northeast Ohio all season long.
Andy’s story is a testament to what happens when we believe in people, not just their past, but their potential. At LMM, we don’t just talk about second chances. Through impactful initiatives like Chopping for Change and Metro45, we hire them, train them, celebrate them, and create them.
This is an article published in LMM’s June 2025 Seeds of Change quarterly newsletter. To read the full newsletter and to subscribe, click the buttons below.
