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WHAT:
Growing up in Orlando as a first-generation Latino American, Alexander Gonsalez aspired to be a renowned chef and community advocate. Starting as a line cook in corporate restaurants, he grew his culinary skills and embarked to bring Carribean-inspired cuisine to the Central Florida community. He started Out of Many Street + Sol Kitchen as a pop-up eatery and, in 2021, opened the first brick and mortar location in the Parramore neighborhood. With a history of making weekly food donations to youth groups, Gonsalez knew that providing on-the-job experience and opportunities for young residents at his restaurant would be a rewarding way to give back.
“Teaming up with the city’s Summer Youth Employment program was a great opportunity to help the youth in our community and it made perfect business sense,” said Gonsalez. “Every kid has to start somewhere to gain work experience and to move on to the next big dream job. We are grateful to play an early role in their career path and have an impact on their future professional goals.”
On Wednesday, April 19, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will join District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill and students at Gonsalez’s restaurant, Out of Many Street + Sol Kitchen, to talk about how business owners can partner with the City of Orlando’s Summer Youth Employment Program and support the city’s efforts to create a more equitable community for residents by providing access to opportunities to help them thrive.
Annually, the summer youth employment program employs more than 600 students and every day encourages greater business participation. Through the five-week program, teenagers ages 15-19 receive financial literacy training, job experience, networking skills and career readiness, such as work etiquette and dressing for success, all while receiving an hourly salary from CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF). Some benefits to local businesses include:
- Inspiring young professionals and cultivating growth for a thriving workforce.
- Gaining additional summer employment, at no cost to the business.
- Making a lasting positive impact in the lives of the emerging generation.
- Showcasing your community involvement as a CSCF partner.
Through the program, students work in career fields including retail, hospitality and the insurance industry. At Wednesday’s event, Adam Sutton, a local young resident, will also share his story on how the Summer Youth Employment Program has impacted him while working at Out of Many Street + Sol Kitchen.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Out of Many Street + Sol Kitchen
202 South Orange Blossom Trail
WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill
Local Small Business Owner Alexander Gonsalez
Orlando Youth Employment Participant Adam Sutton
MEDIA PARKING:
Parking at the business location is limited. Please RSVP to Ashley Papagni by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 to reserve a spot at ashley.papagni@orlando.gov or by phone at 321.418.9361.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES:
For employers and students interested in applying to the program visit orlando.gov/summeryouthemployment.
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