Empowering Youth Program

Empowering Youth Program

Overview: 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

Contact: eyp@ahla.com

Resources: AHLAF EYP Employer Toolkit 2022, Career Development Brochure