2023 ANNUAL REPORT
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO KHERI BILLY
As I reflect on 2023, I think about the 132 young faces that Reconcile New Orleans (RNO) served with a variety of emotions. Each one was full of unique strengths and potential. Despite being unsure of the journey ahead, they decided to show up and embrace the support, empowerment, and care this community offers. Young people in New Orleans are truly remarkable, striving to achieve their dreams and move forward in their life. As a proud New Orleanian, I am inspired by them and see myself in their ambitions.
Our Café is more than just a restaurant; it’s the heart of our signature workforce training program. Our mission extends far beyond job readiness. This report highlights how empowering young people and providing a wealth of services to meet daily needs are the critical ingredients to preparing the next generation of young professionals. You, our community, play a crucial role in creating these opportunities. With your support, we can reimagine the way workforce training is delivered, giving new entrants to the workforce the confidence to pursue whatever educational or professional ambition they set their sites on.
By developing our Interns’ inherent abilities and working in collaboration across community, we can build a pipeline of home grown talent for our future. Every Intern belongs here, and it is our privilege to be a part of their journey. You, our community of champions, make that possible.
Leading Reconcile New Orleans and working towards a brighter future for young people is an honor. Thank you for your support. You make it possible to drive change. Together, we can and will build a stronger New Orleans for today and the future.
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Reconcile’s workforce development program is dedicated to connecting young people to opportunity. Home grown talent is our focus. Let’s empower young people and build better futures for them and our community.
$200,000+
Direct Financial Investment to Youth
783 Hours of Case Management and Counseling
800 Workshops Facilitated
41 Placements to pathways of choice
37 High School Students enrolled in Summer Program
106 Industry Credentials Earned
SAFE, STABLE, AND TALENTED
Young people in New Orleans, aged 16-24, have endured significant changes, including natural disasters, economic downturns, and a global pandemic. They face tripled higher-education tuition costs and limited access to mental health services. Innovative models are needed to help them navigate education and career paths. These Young people are looking to support themselves and their families, offering a valuable chance to revitalize the local talent pool.
Solutions do exist. In New Orleans, reconnecting Opportunity Youth saves local taxpayers $65,230 and generates about $105,500 in new tax revenue.* Investing in workforce training programs like Reconcile supports stability in young people which boosts our community’s economy, making it a win-win for all community members.
*Citation: https://forumfyi.org/
2023 Cohort Profile
IN 2023, 127 NEW INTERNS ENROLLED, MARKING A 32% INCREASE OVER 2022.
AVERAGE AGE
19.3 YEARS OLD
45 FEMALE
77 MALE
3 NON BINARY
2 TRANSGENDER MALE OF 132 INTERNS SERVED IN 2023...
54% come from New Orleans neighborhoods with highest rate of poverty
97 % of our interns identify as African American 68% Unemployed when beginning training
Parenting as an Intern 34% Experience with the criminal legal system
SAFE, STABLE, AND HEALTHY
Reconcile has full-time licensed mental health providers on-site, trained in trauma-informed care. Interns and Alumni collaborate with case managers who provide resources to support their development.
Case Management and Mental Health
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs guides
Reconcile’s approach. Young people need to have their basic needs met before focusing on personal and professional growth. This idea is the foundation for the Intern training experience.
Step one of the journey: establish a stable, supportive environment for all Interns. Young people often face complex challenges that one organization can’t solve alone. Thanks to donors, funders, and partners, Reconcile provides housing, medical support, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, children’s necessities, and emergency aid.
Meeting these basic needs helps young people feel safe and valued. It also ensures they can pursue work. With that stability, they can start their job training journey.
Mental Health, Housing, and Personal Identification
Top three Barriers to Engagement in 2023
Number of counseling hours provided by Licensed Mental Health Providers
Referrals to community partner organizations (Total 70)
100% of Reconcile Interns receive counseling from licensed mental health providers.
SAFE, STABLE, AND LEARNING
Intern Journey
By meeting basic needs, Reconcile Interns can focus on career exploration and career-readiness skills. Our workforce program helps them reconnect with their goals through career counseling and work-based learning, supported by social services for stability.
As they prepare for the workforce, Interns gain skills useful in any industry, with workshops on time management, communication, and attention to detail.
A youth-focused environment makes training engaging and effective.
Your support makes this possible! Thanks to you, Interns receive work uniforms, certifications, and stipends that bridge financial gaps while simulating real work experiences. Your investment shapes their promising futures.
Outreach & Recruitment:
o Networking in community.
o Community partnership with other youth serving organizations.
Tier 1: Work Readiness Training + Foundational Skills
Interns gain job-readiness skills and develop personalized case management plans by addressing two key questions:
o What are your personal and professional goals?
o What prevented you from pursuing them?
Tier 2: Side-by-Side Training
Interns start Café service with coaching from trainer advocates. They also:
o Earn Industry Certification.
o Test-drive new skills.
o Improve via feedback from trainer advocates.
Tier 4: On the job training at Externships
Externships provide Interns with invaluable opportunities to:
o Apply skills in real-world environments.
o Continue receiving comprehensive support.
o Ease their transition into professional or educational paths.
o Equip themselves for success.
Post Program Support
Graduation marks the start of a new journey.
o Interns transition into Alumni.
Tier 3: Career Exploration & Externship Matching
Interns, equipped with experience and confidence, explore career pathways suited to their interests and personalities. Interns:
o Create resumes.
o Practice interviewing with Employment & Education Partners.
o Transition to Externships in the workforce.
o Case managers provide support for one year.
o Alumni check-ins support their safety, stability, and active participation in personal growth and development.
SAFE, STABLE, AND READY
The Café is a Learning Lab
Café Reconcile thrives as an interactive training hub, thanks to the generous support of donors and diners. This vibrant space equips young people with important job-training experiences. By dining at the Café, you create these training opportunities while also funding the resources that drive our mission forward.
Industry Recognized Credentials
13
4
89 RESPONSIBLE VENDORS
CERTIFIED GUEST SERVICE PROFESSIONAL SERVESAFE
As a guest of Café Reconcile, your dining supports essential training for interns, and your meal funds vital support services, including life skills workshops and family assistance.
Beyond Hospitality Pathways
Connecting Talent to Opportunities Next Steps Alumni Program
Education and Employment Partners expand opportunities for Reconcile Interns, enhancing their career prospects. Partnerships with local colleges, training providers, and employers pave the way for the next generation of professionals.
Reconcile connects industry professionals with young talent, creating professional mentors. Industry volunteers lead workshops, and link Interns with opportunities. Interns learn how to effectively search for jobs, apply, and interview.
Externships offer a smooth transition to real-world environments, allowing Interns to apply their skills in new professional environments. Through these partnerships, we ensure homegrown talent is prepared and supported as they become the next generation of talent.
27 Employer Partners 8 New employment partners added in 2023 2 Career fair sessions hosted
Number of Resume & Cover letter instruction hours
Number of Interview prep hours
Alumni engagement navigates the transition from Reconcile to high school, postsecondary education, or the workforce. The staff guides young people through the intricate processes of postsecondary enrollment and admissions, and securing financial aid. Additionally, our staff offers insightful career exploration advice, empowering Interns to make well-informed decisions about their futures.
FOURTY FOUR Alumni employment placements.
TWELVE Number of alumni education placements.
EIGHTEEN Alumni Advisory Council Members.
With its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, Reconcile has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
FINANCIALS Healthy Growth
Your donations are vital to our mission and represent more than 50% of Reconcile’s operating revenue. They help provide the essential resources young people need to feel safe, stable, and prepared. Thanks to your support, we can make sure every dollar impacts the lives of the young people we serve, making our community a better place for all of us.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
BECAUSE OF YOU
Interns tour Delgado Community College
Vance Vaucresson, Reconcile board member & owner of Vaucresson’s Creole Cafe & Deli, delivers keynote remarks at graduation.
Celebrating the success of Reconicle’s 2023 fall graduates.
Telly took center stage at the Emeril Lagasse Foundation signature fundraising event, Carnivale du Vin, sharing his experience and emphasizing the profound impact of mentorship.
Interns demonstrate culinary skills at Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Annual Carnivale du Vin
Chef Blair demonstrates how to make Shakshuka.
The Reconcile team retreat to spark ideas to enhance efforts in creating a safe and inspiring learning space for Interns.
Professional advancement includes connections to education like our partners at NOCHI for additional culinary training.
Interns and Alumni
Looking Forward
As we celebrate 25 years in our building in 2025, and look forward to 30 years of impact in 2026, Reconcile is thrilled to unveil a new three-year strategic plan. This plan is a testament to our unwavering commitment to training and providing vital social supports for our Interns. Our key initiatives include enhancing our 14-week training program with additional social services and mentorship, keeping alumni engaged for ongoing development, and establishing Reconcile as a premier culinary destination.
By placing young people at the heart of our mission, we and our community partners are committed to fostering a collaborative environment that empowers the next generation of professionals. Together, we can unlock their potential and help shape brighter futures for all.
Café Reconcile featured in New York Times 2023 Restaurant List!
Interns learn the basics of catering an event at Carnival du Vin event training .
with industry pros during Career Day.
DONATE TODAY
Online Cafereconcile.Org/donate
Mail 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Scan
DINE WITH US
Tuesday 11am – 2:30pm thru Friday
Download the OpenTable App today!
STAY CONNECTED
