Early on when Strickland was running around Pittsburgh trying to raise money to build the Manchester Bidwell center, he got a call from Sen. John Heinz, the heir to the Heinz fortune. He had heard about Strickland's work with the welfare moms, ex-steelworkers, and at-risk youth. Heinz was interested in talking to Strickland about the possibility of training skilled workers for Heinz. They forged a deal, and Heinz gave Strickland $1 million to build this kitchen and a world-class culinary program. This was the first in a series of partnerships with local businesses that make up most of Bidwell's adult educational programs.