HOPES Program
Starting Justice-Involved Individuals on a Path
to Employment and Independence
HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re)Entering Society) is a program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and offered through participating state restaurant associations, including the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
The program provides justice-involved adults with access to workforce training and career pathways in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
HOPES sets justice-involved individuals on a path to employment and independence through training and employment opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including connections to apprenticeship.
The HOPES program utilizes the NRAEF’s Restaurant Ready training curriculum to equip individuals with work-readiness and industry-specific training.
How It Works:
- The Justice and Correction Agencies identify eligible candidates and support training and program engagement for candidates.
- Community Based Organizations (CBOs) connect with candidates and conduct formal enrollment. CBOs provide additional training.
- Once the CBO’s participants are trained the Massachusetts Restaurant Association will connect participants with employment opportunities through their employer’s partners in the industry and identify employers for recruitment.
- Employers offer “real life” exposure to the workplace, hire justice-involved individuals and support opportunities for career growth. Employers work with partners during the 12-month follow-up period to ensure participant retention and skill development, as well as foster apprenticeship connections.
