Jacksonville Hospitality Institute
The Jacksonville Hospitality Institute (JHI) offers a 9-week program that provides free training to unemployed or under-employed adults so they can land jobs and succeed in the booming hospitality industry. The institute, located at the Beaver Street Enterprise Center, offers both classroom and hands-on training with a working front desk, food service room and housekeeping room.
 Read some of JHI's success stories (JHI_success_stories.pdf - 336kb)
How it began
In 2003, FreshMinistries responded to a community need by developing a partnership with WorkSource, Clara White Mission, NE FL Community Action Agency, and the Jacksonville Urban League to recruit and provide free job training for minority, low-income, unemployed and underemployed individuals looking for entry-level positions in the hospitality industry.
 A pilot hospitality training program was developed and successfully implemented based on curriculum provided by Philadelphia’s OIC (Opportunities Inn), a 30+ year old, non-profit national leader in hospitality industry training. The pilot program was successfully tested on a limited basis.
Upon completion of the initial pilot program, FreshMinistries was asked to further explore the need for a permanent community-based hospitality program. After extensive interviews and research with industry officials, the long-term need was evident.
According to WorkSource, housekeeping and food service staff are listed in the top 10 jobs ranked by projected demand with an anticipated 7 to 15 percent growth in the immediate future. Once again, meeting a community need and serving its mission, FreshMinistries developed a broader, more comprehensive program – the Jacksonville Hospitality Institute (JHI).
How it works
With our hospitality advisory partners, we recruit unemployed, underemployed, homeless, disadvantaged youth and adult individuals (age 18 – 45). Residents living in our target zip code, 32206, get enrollment priority. Our training is based on the successful Philadelphia OIC curriculum, a program that has placed 85% of its graduates in the regional work environment.
 We monitor each student’s success from the first day of training through program completion; place graduates into appropriate positions with our community business partners and monitor their success (30-60 and 90 days of follow-up); conduct employer surveys to insure our training continues to meet the employers needs; continue to expand our community partner network; and follow each graduate through his or her new career to prove and ensure program success.
JHI features signature sites, such as the “WorkSource Achievement Center," the "Scheidel Foundation Smart Classroom" and the “Comcast Learning Center” where individuals are recruited and trained.
JHI curriculum includes basic hospitality skills, as well as specific job skills and readiness for work experience through hands-on training at the real time training center at Beaver Street Enterprise Center. Interpersonal skills and personal presentation are also addressed with each participant, and, on an as-needed basis, Dignity U Wear supplies appropriate attire to participants so each is well-prepared and self-esteem is heightened.
The training focuses on job readiness, skills training, job placement, counseling, mentoring, advanced training, as well as participating in building capacity in existing programs.
 Noting that transportation is critical to the success of JHI, we offer assistance to each student on an as-needed basis (such as JTA bus tickets) to ensure program and job attendance. Ongoing evaluations and meetings of each program participant for up to 18 months is the cornerstone of our recruit-train-placement program.
Working internships include culinary arts at the Clara White Mission, housekeeping at area hotels/motels, and local restaurant and catering businesses. The 9- to 12-week hospitality training programs are designed to meet the specific needs of our community partners who have expressed a desire to offer jobs to certified program graduates.
If you are interested in either supporting this initiative or working in the hospitality field and are ready for a multi-week course that will provide the skills necessary in this growing customer service industry, contact Darlene Yarborough, 904.265.4750.
JHI partners with the City of Jacksonville
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