Nuvision Heroes: Molly Bracken

This month, we’re proud to recognize Molly Bracken as our Nuvision Hero. Alongside her husband, Chef Bill Bracken, Molly has helped build Bracken’s Kitchen into a force for change in Southern California. Through their Culinary Training Program, Molly is empowering young adults to build brighter futures, providing hands-on training in a real kitchen environment while also feeding countless members of the community in need.

Nuvision is proud to support this work through our NuvisionCares Help Fight Hunger initiative, because food insecurity affects far too many families right here in our communities. Molly’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and the belief that everyone deserves opportunity.

Creating Opportunity Through Culinary Training

At the heart of Bracken’s Kitchen is the Culinary Training Program, which equips at-risk youth and young adults with the tools they need to pursue careers in food service and hospitality. Students learn side by side with professional chefs in a working kitchen, preparing meals with menus that change based on rescued food inventory.

For Molly, this work is about breaking cycles of poverty and giving people a chance when doors have been closed to them. As she put it:

“Our kids have no idea what it is to need or what it is to be hungry, like truly hungry, or to have zero opportunity. You know, like we have students who had to quit high school to take care of family. And then they end up, you know? In the cycle. Of working low paying jobs, because that's all they're educated to do. And so I think. Just the ability to provide an opportunity for people who have had 0. Opportunity. Is. It's really like it is the right thing to do.”

The program not only teaches practical skills but connects students to real employment opportunities. In fact, three graduates have already been hired by Disney.

Leading With Heart

Molly is the first to admit that this journey wasn’t easy. When Bill first felt called to start the nonprofit, she resisted. Life was comfortable, and stepping into the unknown of running a community kitchen wasn’t what she had envisioned.

“Honestly, I was mad when we started the nonprofit… I had a nice, comfortable life and, you know, Bill was a chef making a lot of money. And I was staying home with our two-year-old. And I was super happy. And I was a little mad at Bill. I was a little mad at God, like, how dare you call him to like, do this because it messed up my life.”

But Molly also shares how that step of faith transformed her outlook:

“One step after another and you know, and Bill was confused too. He was like, hey, I feel called to do this like, why can't you get on board… it was a huge change for me, so it took me a long time too, and I think that's OK. But like if you have a little tug like just answer it and and see where it goes, cause you just never know the impact.”

Today, she sees the fruits of those steps every time a student graduates and goes on to build a better life.

Powered by Faith, Sustained by Community

For Molly and Bill, their faith has always guided their work:

“We are Bill and I are Christians and we believe in. We believe that serving God is like serving others is how we serve God. It's one of the things that he's given us to do so, as hard as it may be, we just keep showing up, keep doing our best at it.”

The program’s growth has also been made possible by the generosity of the community. Volunteers, donors, and organizations like Nuvision Credit Union have stood alongside Bracken’s Kitchen to help expand its impact.

“Program thankfully has grown and we've had phenomenal supporters like, you know, obviously Nuvision and… others that support our culinary training program specifically, which is so, so, so helpful, because we can't do this work without the help of so many people to come alongside and support with their time or their talent or their treasure. So we're just grateful for that.”

A Message to Others

When asked what advice she would give to people who feel the pull to make a difference, Molly shared this encouragement:

“I would say volunteer somewhere that you feel like aligns with your priorities and just try it, or just take a step at it, you know… if you have a tug on your heart to do something, just do a little bit and see how that goes. Because you have no idea how that could change you.”

Her story is proof of what can happen when people take that first step. What began as an uncertain leap of faith has grown into millions of meals served and countless lives transformed.

Why We Honor Molly Bracken

Molly’s dedication to mentoring at-risk youth, her heart for service, and her unwavering faith in the power of opportunity are what make her a true Nuvision Hero. Her leadership at Bracken’s Kitchen is creating ripples of positive change that extend far beyond the kitchen—helping to fight hunger, provide jobs, and strengthen our communities.

We’re proud to stand alongside Molly and Bracken’s Kitchen through NuvisionCares. Together, we can help fight hunger, support the next generation, and build brighter futures.