When Cody Garcia arrived at Boys Town New England, he was looking for stability and hope. After years in the child welfare system and a series of moves that left him unanchored, Cody found both a family and a future in Portsmouth.
Through Boys Town’s unique family home model, Cody built meaningful relationships with mentors and staff who believed in him—even when he struggled to believe in himself. It was through these connections that Cody first began to see college as a real possibility. Their encouragement, along with hands-on opportunities like the Newport Restaurant Group’s Culinary Academy, helped him imagine a different future.
That vision—and Cody’s own determination—led him to pursue jobs in hospitality, from Food Love to Newport Experience and Hemenway’s in Providence. Each step gave him more confidence, and this fall, he’ll take the next one: starting at Nichols College on a scholarship.
Watch Cody’s story on Street Stories with Mike Montecalvo on WPRI.
