Dallas to host next 100,000 Opportunities Initiative
DALLAS – A national coalition of more than 50 leading U.S. companies known as the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative will come together on May 19 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to host the Dallas Opportunity Fair – an unprecedented, day-long hiring event aimed at 16-24 year olds who are not in school and unemployed.
The event will feature recruiters and resources from top U.S. companies including Starbucks, FedEx, JCPenney, Pizza Hut, Chipotle, Delaware North, Republic Services, Dominos, Sprinkles, Five Guys, Target, Hilton Worldwide, Teavana, HMSHost, T-Mobile, Ulta Beauty, Macy’s, Villa, Papa John’s, Walgreens and Walmart.
Together, they are offering more than 1,700 guaranteed job interviews throughout the day for local positions, as well as the opportunity to connect with more than 30 job-readiness and social services, including resume writing, interview skills and college and financial aid applications – making this the largest and most comprehensive opportunity youth hiring fair ever hosted in Texas. Based on past events in Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Seattle, the coalition expects to extend hundreds of immediate, on-the-spot job offers at the May 19 event.
“JCPenney is proud to be one of the founding members of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative coalition and we are in awe of the tremendous progress the cause has achieved in just under two years. We are excited for the next Opportunity & Job Fair to be hosted in our hometown of Dallas, home to a dynamic and thriving retail community,” said Marvin Ellison, chairman and CEO of JCPenney. “A job in retail can be the start of an exciting career path with a variety of opportunities for anyone who is passionate about delivering great products and exceptional customer service. We look forward to continuing our support of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative by engaging young job seekers to join the JCPenney stores team.”
Launched in 2015, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative reached its original goal of hiring and engaging 100,000 opportunity youth two years ahead of schedule. But with an estimated 4.9 million young Americans still left out of the U.S. economy, the coalition has since expanded its commitment to a new goal of 1 million hires by 2020. Each of the companies and organizations involved share a commitment to helping youth connect with employers and develop basic job skills. The goal is to get these young men and women into the workforce and on to a long-term pathway to success.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and around the country, youth unemployment still tops 12%, disproportionately impacting young people from underserved low-income communities. The coalition will work alongside Dallas’ civic and community leaders including the City of Dallas, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, United Way of Metro Dallas, City Square and other key partners to build on existing opportunity youth hiring efforts and ensure the initiative is sustained in the long run.
“We believe it’s our collective responsibility to invest in getting these disconnected youth into the types of jobs that are required for them to lead rewarding, productive lives,” said Ashley Brundage, Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Their future is our priority. We applaud the leaders of 100,000 Opportunities for bringing global leaders together to make a deep, lasting impact in our future. This partnership furthers our purpose of putting knowledge and opportunity at the at the footstep of so many eager minds. We are excited to collaborate on May 19 to empower, engage, and equip our next generation.”
“We welcome the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to Dallas. The event gives corporations with a Dallas presence access to a goldmine of entry-level trainable talent,” said Laurie Bouillion Larrea, president at Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas. “The benefits of youth employment are staggering. Early employment translates to higher earning in adulthood and better financial inclusion. Dallas area companies need this talent and our Dallas youth need paid apprenticeship opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative now includes more than 50 companies, including: Accenture, Alaska Airlines, Chipotle, Cintas, CVS Health, Delaware North, Domino's, Ernst & Young, FedEx, Five Guys, Food Services of America, Gene Juarez, Greyston Bakery, Hilton WorldWide, HMS Host, Hyatt, JCPenney, JPMorgan Chase, Leisure Care, Lyft, Macy's, Mars, Microsoft, MOD Pizza, Nordstrom, Panda Express, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Porch, Potbelly, Prudential, Red Robin, Republic Services, Savers, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Starbucks, Sweetgreen, Taco Bell, Target, Teavana, T-Mobile, Toms, Ulta Beauty, Villa, Walgreens, Walmart, and Yum!.
The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative is led by an Executive Committee which provides generous support including FedEx, HMS Host, The Rockefeller Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Starbucks, Yum!, and Walmart Foundation. Premier sponsorship for the event in Dallas is being provided by FedEx Office, JCPenney and the JC Penney Foundation, and Starbucks and the Starbucks Foundation.
As it has in Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Seattle, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative will partner with national and local organizations to provide continued investment in Dallas to create pathways to employment for Opportunity Youth in the region, including ongoing hiring fairs and other efforts to train and employ youth.