Cafe Reconcile
Cafe Reconcile teaches at risk youth the skills necessary to succeed in the hospitality industry. ELF is helping to expand its reach.
“These kids come to us when they have no other options.” – Craig Cuccia, founder
Training in the Core Values of Hospitality and Life Skills
Cafe Reconcile’s hospitality school provides at-risk teens and young adults with the skills they need to succeed in jobs in the hospitality industry. The practical on-the-job experience for interns over a 6 week period also helps them to develop essential life skills.
ELF provides financial support for the hospitality training programs that enable these youth to prepare themselves for the workforce. After an eight month renovation and build out, Café Reconcile officially reopened to the public in March 2013. The award-winning nonprofit, which provides invaluable life skills and job training to disconnected youth from highly distressed communities in the New Orleans area, underwent the $5.9 million expansion to not only triple its program capacity, but to also create a new source of revenue through full-service catering and events on and off site.
The inspiration of Fr. Harry Tompson, Craig Cuccia, and Tim Falcon, Café Reconcile has been a cornerstone of economic and youth development in New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood for over 15 years. The expanded facility includes more than 17,000 square feet of new programming space, made possible through the generosity of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and many other committed investors and donors.
“The youth served by Café Reconcile are bright talented people seeking a way to make a difference for themselves. It is our honor to be a part of making that happen and we are excited about the future impact of these expanded programs,” said Tom Pyburn, Board Chair. “Don’t forget that we also have the best lunch in town and that patronizing Café Reconcile makes a difference in your community!”