Reconcile Receives Historic Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Reconcile’s innovative Workforce Development Program is a positive youth development space that supports the career exploration and job readiness opportunities of young people 16 to 24 years old. During the paid 14-week, in-person training, Interns work with Reconcile staff to address barriers to employment and/or educational opportunities. They receive one-on-one coaching, earn industry credentials, explore career and educational pathways that suit their individual interests and abilities, and experience real-world, on-the-job training in the training restaurant Cafe Reconcile.

While Reconcile is focused on career exploration and job readiness, its work is also rooted in addressing system-level barriers to protective factors that allow young people to thrive, including housing, transportation, childcare, physical and mental health care, and interpersonal relationships, among others. Each young person receives an individualized approach with them at the center of their journey.

“Our work is youth-centered. We are first and foremost a place where young people are treated with respect and their lived experiences are acknowledged and always top of mind,” said Billy. “We adapt our programming and change our delivery to meet the needs of our young people. At Reconcile, youth voice is prioritized.”

To create a supportive transition into professional or educational pursuits, Reconcile staff members stay connected with Alumni for one-year post-program to provide ongoing support and resource delivery. The MacKenzie Scott donation will allow Reconcile to continue building a robust program experience and the continued development of its post-program support initiative, helping participants sustain engagement with their educational or career pursuits after completing in-person training.

Effective workforce development requires collaboration at the local, state, and national levels to improve the environment for positive youth development and create equitable economic opportunity.  Reconcile focuses its collaborative work on narrative change, policy change, and establishing shared best-practices across an ecosystem. To this end, Reconcile partners with the Louisiana Opportunity Youth Coalition for improved policy, New Orleans Children’s Youth and Planning Board’s Youth Master Plan, and the New Orleans-based Opportunity Youth Connection Collaborative.

“With this gift, Reconcile can continue to push the boundaries of impact and redefine youth-focused workforce development programming. We are here to advocate on behalf of New Orleans’ young people, amplify their voice, and create change that ensures a better future for generations to come. This is the real work. Work that is possible thanks to the unmatched generosity and vision of MacKenzie Scott.”

To learn more about Reconcile New Orleans’ workforce development program and Café Reconcile, please visit www.cafereconcile.org.

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About Reconcile New Orleans

Reconcile New Orleans has supported more than 2,000 young people since opening in 2000. The program aims to support 120 new Interns each year -- young people ages 16-24 who seek employment and educational opportunities or both. Reconcile’s free, earn and learn Workforce Development Program focuses on a holistic, person-centered model, addressing barriers to success, such as homelessness and untreated trauma, while teaching culinary and professional skills necessary to gain and sustain employment in hospitality or other industry pathways. To learn more, visit www.cafereconcile.org.