JULY 26, 2013 & AUGUST 1, 2013

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Service: Café Reconcile

Café Reconcile is a community addressing the system of generational poverty, violence and neglect in the New Orleans area. The innovative life skills and job training

program assists young people (ages 16–22) from severely at-risk communities who desire to make a positive change in their lives.

Reconcile’s students arrive facing a vast array of challenges, from extreme poverty and high school attrition to homelessness, violence, and

participation in the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, these young people possess a deep desire to break the cycle and become productive,

contributing members of society.

1) The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans served Café Reconcile in two ways. The first was our Executive Chef went to Café Reconcile to teach them a new recipe, as well as techniques. He spent most of the day with the students ensuring they had fully grasped the techniques. The second was we invited Café Reconcile to The Ritz-Carlton for a tour with a Q&A session, which included everything from what a hiring manager looks for to interview techniques.

2) The Ritz-Carlton plans on continuing this partnership through Chef Demonstrations, Mock Interviews, and Tours with Q&A Sessions.

3) If Café Reconcile were to win the prize money, they would use the funds to help initiate a new Advanced Training Program for their graduates, helping them work their way up the career ladder, get promotions and secure jobs that pay a true living wage of $15/hour and higher so they can support themselves and their families independent of all other external support.