HOPES Expands to Connecticut
Through the US Department of Labor Growth Opportunities 5 (GO5) grant, the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation and the Connecticut Restaurant Association will partner with the NRAEF to implement the HOPES Program in our state. Connecticut is one of six states selected to participate in the GO5 grant, including Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, & Pennsylvania.
The HOPES GO5 Program will prepare justice involved young adults (18 to 24 yr olds) living or returning to Bridgeport, CT for employment through education and training, paid work training experiences, mentorship, leadership development, and community violence intervention , with the goals of increasing conflict resolution and violence prevention skills; introducing the world of work, career interests, and relevant skills; and providing income on the path to living wages and quality jobs.
CHEF will be working closing with Career Resources Inc. as the community based organization and will be seeking employer partners to provide work experiences for individuals enrolled in the program. Funding for the work experience is paid through the grant.
Interested in being an Employer Training Partner?
Participants receive soft skills training, ServSafe certification, and are paid by CRI during a 200-hour internship—roughly 10 to 12 weeks—in either front-of-house or back-of-house roles, depending on employer needs. Employers simply agree to support them in meeting key job competencies during the internship. While there’s no obligation to hire after the program, the ultimate goal is to help these young adults secure long-term employment if it’s a good fit.
Email foundation@ctrestaurant.org to learn more about HOPES and how you can help provide a path to employment.
* HOPES Growth Opportunities 5 is 100% funded through a $5.1 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This webpage was created by CRA/CHEF and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This webpage content is copyrighted by CRA/CHEF.