Youth Workforce Development Programs
In 2000, Reconcile New Orleans’ Youth Workforce Development Program was developed to meet the needs of youth who had experienced an array of socio-economic challenges, including poverty, homelessness, arrested educational achievement, substance abuse, and participation in the juvenile justice system.
In the seven years of operation the Youth Workforce Development Program successfully graduated over 400 young men and women between the ages of 16 and 24; providing them with the necessary skills and support services to enact positive changes in their lives.
In the summer of 2006 Reconcile expanded its programs to include the construction training program, which utilizes the same hands-on mentoring model and life skills training. The program was developed in partnership with Jericho Road and CrossRoads Mission as part of an affordable housing initiative that has given us the added opportunity to offer low cost home ownership to our valued employees and neighbors in Central City.
The Youth Development Training Programs are centered on the following focus areas:
▪Assessment Services- Upon referral to the program, youth will be administered assessment tests to determine his/her most appropriate individual learning strategy, area of academic need and need for social service referrals
▪Life Skills Training- In order to assure success and enhance the students’ ability to retain employment, two hours of each training day incorporate targeted Life Skills training. The areas covered in this soft skills training include, but are not limited to: self-esteem issues, job readiness, employment retention skills, teamwork/leadership skills, anger manegment, conflict resolution, and diversity issues.
▪Literacy and Numeracy Skills- Individualized, self-paced literacy, numeracy, and financial literacy instruction is incorporated into the training of the youth participation in the program. Reconciles programs place a strong emphasis on gaining a GED and/or demonstration of an increase in one or more educational functioning levels.
▪On-Site Work Training Skills- In addition to industry specific classroom training composed of safety instruction and overviews of the specialized skills set of target trades, students spend 50%-75% of their training time on actual location (i.e., Café Reconcile, Affordable Housing Construction sites) in hands-on training.
▪Case Management Services- Given the multi-faceted socioeconomic challenges facing each of the students, dedicated case management services are provided to asses student needs, recommend support, resources and training based on those needs. Case Managers monitor student progress through their respective training programs and follow-up with students in their job placements after graduation from the Workforce Training Program.
▪Post-Training Placement- Post-Training services include job search counseling and assistance with job placement, apprenticeship training, and/or additional assistance to secure post-secondary academic goals. Additional services include follow-up support in the students’ post-training positions.
Students operate on a rotating schedule of focused task areas in their respective programs:
Culinary Training: Construction Training:
▪Front of House ▪Framing
▪Steward ▪Plumbing
▪Garde Manager ▪Roofing
▪Department Chef ▪Electrical
▪Sous Chef ▪HVAC
The foundation of Reconcile’s approach is individualized relationship-building with each of the programs participants-including greeting them as they arrive each day, celebrating their successes, and offering instruction and encouragement in their areas of challenge. All of this is vital in creating a welcoming, nurturing environment. Through on-site training, interaction with active professionals, lectures in safety and methodology, and positive encouragement students are prepared to transition into paid jobs and further education and growth.