People Inc.Cooking Up Friendship
Jun 15, 2026
For Daishawn Hayes, the kitchen is where everything clicks.
Hayes (left) and Rodriguez (right) meet up for a monthly cooking class, a People Inc. Community Habilitation social group
“I love cooking. I've always wanted to be a chef,” he said.
That passion is one reason Daishawn has earned a reputation as the right-hand man to Tyrone “Ty the Chef” Robertson, a People Inc. direct support professional of 23 years, who leads a monthly Community Habilitation cooking group in Buffalo, N.Y.
On this particular evening, the menu for the group includes grilled hot dogs, turkey burgers, pasta salad and fruit. Hayes is manning the grill while Juan Rodriguez is chopping a watermelon to go on the side. Before any cooking begins, after washing hands participants put on a familiar uniform: chef hats and red aprons, a tradition that has become part of the fun experience.
The group is one example of how Community Habilitation can bring people together. While the service is typically provided one-on-one and focuses on helping people build skills for greater independence, group opportunities offer a chance to connect with others who share similar interests.
Robertson is teaching Rodriguez about food safety. Tonight, they're grilling turkey burgers.
According to Community Habilitation Supervisor Gina Rak, friendship is often one of the first things people mention when exploring services.
"When I meet with families for intake, one of the most common things I hear is that people want more opportunities to make friends and spend time with others," Rak said. "Those social connections are incredibly important."
Tyrone stated he started the cooking group five years ago with a simple goal in mind.
“I wanted to bring people together to cook. Since starting, we’ve seen a lot of the people who attend become great friends. This group is important,” he said.
Up to 20 people attend the group each month.
The cooking group has grown to a become a place where up to 20 people will join each month. Along with learning how to prepare meals, participants practice safely measuring ingredients, handling food properly and following kitchen safety guidelines.
Tyrone also incorporates healthy habits into every lesson. The burgers are turkey burgers, and each meal includes a fruit or vegetable component. On this evening, participants learn how to safely cut watermelon and measure the temperature of the turkey to make sure it’s ready to eat.
The cooking group is one of several Community Habilitation groups offered through People Inc. Others focus on activities such as gaming and karaoke, creating additional opportunities for participants to develop skills and build relationships.