BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The HOPE Program (HOPE), a highly effective workforce development organization empowering New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through training, jobs and career advancement, will host its 8th annual “A Taste of HOPE” fundraiser on Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 at 6:00pm at The Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan. Tickets can be purchased directly through HOPE.
The nonprofit’s signature event will convene more than 300 of New York’s most philanthropic residents, award-winning food and beverage purveyors, elected officials, and top corporate sponsors to support HOPE students and graduates, who will share personal stories of strength throughout the evening. During last year’s evening of mingling and superb food and beverage tasting, over $385,000 was raised to support HOPE.
Over 90% of A Taste of HOPE revenues throughout the years have been invested directly into HOPE’s core mission of empowering New Yorkers who face significant barriers to employment. This includes investment in mental health programming, environmentally sustainable hiring opportunities and the expansion of program staff to develop new training. This support will enable HOPE to maintain and grow its services to nearly 500 New Yorkers across five impactful programs.
“HOPE provides so many New Yorkers with the opportunity to transform their lives through work. I am so appreciative of our strong family of supporters who come together to help us create and run innovative programming that leads to meaningful job opportunities and economic self-sufficiency," said Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director of The HOPE Program. “We are incredibly thankful to the individuals and the corporate sponsors as well as the food and beverage providers who give so generously because they believe in investing in families."
This year’s event will honor Kirk Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates. Since 2004, Kirk Palmer has been a principal investor in HOPE, ensuring that students have access to the training, support, mental health services, daily meals, employers and other services they need to reach their full potential. Additionally, Kirk and his colleagues at Kirk Palmer Associates have provided HOPE jobseekers with one-on-one interview practice and resume support preparing them for long-term employment.
“Over the past 15 years, I have seen HOPE expand its horizons and transform the careers and lives of countless New Yorkers,” said Palmer. “I am deeply honored to be recognized by a program that I believe in so passionately and am inspired by on a daily basis.”
Featured sponsors include Kirk Palmer Associates, Day Pitney LLP and Neuman’s Kitchen. Additional sponsors include Prosek Partners, Sidley Austin, Sullivan and Cromwell LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers Uncommon Goods, and Kenneth Cole, among others.
This year’s event promises delectable tastes and toasts from 20-plus local restaurants, bars, caterers and other food and beverage providers. Many of this year’s food and beverage participants are HOPE partners, employing numerous students and graduates after completion of HOPE’s FOODworks program, which prepares jobseekers with skills needed for careers in the food and beverage industry. Additional partners who will be represented include Amy’s Bread, Bodega Negra, Bronx Beer Hall, Du’s Donuts, Happy Cooking, Made Nice, Manhatta, Miznon, Murray’s Cheese, and Tito’s Vodka.
HOPE continues to be recognized as a leading workforce development nonprofit, not just in New York but nationwide. With Sustainable South Bronx in its portfolio of programs, HOPE is also a leader in green jobs training, contributing to the environmental sustainability of New York City. Together, HOPE and SSBx achieve job retention and job placement outcomes continue to be amongst the strongest in the field, with a 75 percent job placement rate, 92 percent 90-day retention, almost twenty percent higher than the national average, and 82 percent one-year retention rate.
More information on HOPE, volunteer opportunities and on “A Taste of HOPE” can be found on its website, Facebook or Twitter.
About The HOPE Program
The HOPE Program was founded in 1984 by a soup kitchen volunteer and PhD student who believed that with the right support and resources, the clients she served in the soup line could succeed in the workforce and build bright futures. HOPE empowers New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive training, jobs, advancement and lifelong career support.
In 2015, HOPE underwent the boldest phase of growth in our history with the acquisition of Sustainable South Bronx. We now operate rigorous and effective job training programs for low-income New Yorkers in both the Bronx and Brooklyn – the counties with highest unemployment rates in the city and among the most impacted by unemployment statewide.
HOPE offers training for diverse careers as well as sector-specific training in the food and green collar industries, with outcomes among the strongest in the field. To learn more, visit www.thehopeprogram.org.
