NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT.

Reconcile New Orleans supports young adults, ages 16-24, as they transform their lives by encouraging their personal growth, providing workforce development and training, and equipping them with tools to achieve their potential.

Reconcile envisions a New Orleans where all young people are embraced and empowered to pursue their potential.

Our innovative Workforce Development Program is designed as a positive youth development space that supports the career exploration and job readiness opportunities of young people 16-24 years old. Interns earn industry credentials, explore career and educational pathways that suit their individual abilities, and experience real-world, on the job training in our training restaurant, Cafe Reconcile.

Led by a skilled team of industry professionals with shared lived-experience and incorporating a cadre of community-based partners, Reconcile works to build bright futures with and alongside our young people.

Our History

In 1996, Rev. Harry Tompson, S.J., then pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, joined with community members Craig Cuccia and Tim Falcon to bring a safe space for school children and their families to the historic Central City neighborhood in New Orleans.

Gathering with like minded community activists in prayer, research, and dialogue, the group worked hard to understand the needs of the neighborhood and its community members.

Using funds from generous donors, the founders purchased a blighted, historic five-story building at the corner of Oretha Castle Haley Blvd and Euterpe to serve as the center of Reconcile’s operations and be the cornerstone for the broader rehabilitation of the neighborhood.

The Next Generation
of Talent

The intern journey begins with a paid 14-week-in person training featuring 4 tiers of training working with staff to address barriers to employment and/or educational opportunities while gaining real-world experience with one-on-one coaching. Training includes earning industry credentials, exploring career and educational pathways that suit their individual situations, and experience real-world, on the job training in our restaurant, Cafe Reconcile. To create a supportive transition into professional or educational pursuits, our staff stay connected with Alumni for one year post-program ensuring all the same support and resources are available.

Reconcile’s three main priorities for their program participants are:

  • to support them in the development of their self-confidence

  • that they feel financially stable as a result of their participation

  • that they earn an educational or employment opportunity suited to their abilities and pursuits

Scaling Impact in Community

Reconcile operates a holistic, youth-centered program model. While our central mission is to connect youth to their personal and professional ambitions, our work is rooted in addressing barriers to protective factors including but not limited to: housing, transportation, childcare, physical and mental health care, interpersonal relationships, and much more.

In addressing barriers, youth equitably access opportunities that had previously been challenging to navigate. And by embedding a positive youth development approach, we ensure each young person receives an individualized approach with them at the center of their journey.

Partnerships have allowed RNO to accelerate its growth and advance impact.. RNO has expanded its capacity by seizing these collaborative opportunities with both government and community based organizations. Our shared work builds a coalition of like minded partners to improve our overall community for youth in New Orleans.

Key Programmatic Partners include:

SET for Success Skills & Employment Training to support individuals eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with professional training and advancement opportunities.

Children's Bureau to improve the quality of life for children and families, enhance and strengthen their mental health and wellness.

New Orleans Youth Master Plan and NOYA’s Reengagement Center for youth-centered design strategy and shared learning practices.

STRIVE Future Leaders to support the training and development of young people impacted by the criminal legal system.

Delgado Community College Portable Bridge Program to increase supportive pathways and access into the community college setting.

National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Restaurant Ready Program and American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation for work-ready competency areas, industry best practices, and credentialing. 

Without the support of generous donors, Reconcile’s mission of transformation would not be sustainable. In short, we need help from concerned community members who are interested in joining our cause and partnering with us to change lives. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Reconcile today!