"I did a lot of drugs in my life. I was very rebellious and I was just disobedient. I used to sell drugs and I used to run with gangs and stuff like that," said Flinn.

Today he's changed the recipe for his life. He joined Victory Mission's yearlong recovery program and moved on to its hospitality class, where he works as a sous chef at Cooks Kettle.

"I set aside to focus on God and life skills and I've learned so much in these last two years," Flinn said.

A lot of men just like Flinn are vying to get into this program. The class had 10 people last September. Today there are twice as many and the applications keep coming.

"We see men who are just kind of desperate like I have to have something right now," said Victory Mission director Victoria Queen.

Queen says that's mostly a sign of our faltering economy.

Along with this free program you stay in a residence. She doesn't accept a lot of people because she believes not everyone is serious.

"We don't want them just coming here because they don't have a place to live," said Queen.

Queen says when you finish the class, you're almost guaranteed a job. Flinn will graduate soon and, if life is a menu, he can't wait to order the next course.

"I was doing nothing for myself for a very long time and was tired of going no where. I wanted to be successful and that's what I'm looking forward to right now," said Flinn.