Empowering Youth Program

Partnership-based workforce development program recruiting young adults (Opportunity Youth ages 16-24) for entry-level hotel positions through community-based organizations, providing training, tools, and support to develop permanent careers in hospitality.

Geographic Scope:

• Key markets: Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, Washington, D.C.
• Expanding nationwide through Job Corps partnership

Focus Areas:

• Entry-level hospitality employment
• Career pathway development
• Professional skills training
• Industry-recognized credentials
• Wraparound support services
• Pre-employment skills development
• Work-based experiences

Target Population:

• Opportunity Youth: Ages 16-24, out of school and unemployed, with desire and skill to succeed
• Priority populations including disadvantaged and underrepresented youth

Program Activities:

• Guest speakers on hotel industry and career pathways
• Hotel property tours
• Work-based experiences
• Mock interviews
• Hiring fairs
• Professional resources and credentials
• Training for career advancement

Award Details:

• 2023 grants: $370,000 to community-based organizations
• Estimated 500+ youth trained annually
• 2023-2024: $605,000 grant from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation over two years
• Over one million dollars invested in college scholarships for hospitality students
• 500 apprentices enrolled for Department of Labor certification across 80 employers (largest year of growth)

Eligible Organizations:

• Community-based organizations serving opportunity youth in target markets
• 2023 grant recipients:
  • Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Los Angeles
  • Compton YouthBuild
  • Covenant House New Orleans
  • Goodwill Greater Washington
  • LA CAUSA YouthBuild, Los Angeles
  • Liberty's Kitchen, New Orleans
  • Pathlight HOME, Orlando
  • Reconcile New Orleans, Inc.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
  • Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA), Los Angeles
  • Youth Job Center, Chicago
  • YouthBuild Lake County, Chicago

Strategic Partnerships:

• Job Corps (U.S. Department of Labor) - first-of-its-kind partnership for hospitality industry
• 120+ Job Corps locations nationwide
• Community-based organizations in key markets

Recent Expansion (2023):
Focus on:

• Strengthening relationships between CBOs and Opportunity Youth
• Improving hiring outcomes through DE&I training for hotel leaders
• Listening sessions and stakeholder convening
• Addressing bias in hiring
• Starting in Los Angeles with broader application planned

Resources: AHLAF EYP Employer Toolkit 2022, Career Development Brochure