LIBERTY’S KITCHEN TO HOST A YOUNG ADULT-LED MAYORAL TOWN HALL FORUM

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New Orleans, LA – Today, Liberty’s Kitchen announced its plans to host a town hall forum featuring the New Orleans mayoral race candidates on September 28th. Organized and led by members of Liberty’s Kitchen’s Youth Leadership Council, the focus of this town hall forum will be on issues important to young adults such as housing costs, the criminal justice system, and the minimum wage.

There will be a meet and greet with candidates from 4:30 pm – 5 pm, followed by the forum, which will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm at Liberty’s Kitchen’s Taylor Center for Young Leadership located at 300 N. Broad Avenue. This new 6,000 square foot facility provides increased classroom, counseling, technology, and recreational space for Liberty’s Kitchen programming, as well as a platform for graduates of the cornerstone workforce development program to take important steps toward full civic engagement.

In preparation for this event, participants and alumni of Liberty’s Kitchen’s Youth Development Program have gathered together every other Friday to discuss the issues that affect them on an everyday basis.

The purpose of this town hall is to provide young adults (16-30) from all over New Orleans with a platform where they can voice their concerns to potential leaders of our city. Ahmaad Lott, Liberty’s Kitchen intern and event co-coordinator, remarked, “We were inspired to put together a town hall forum after learning about the power youth have when it comes to advocating for the things they want to see changed in their community.”

Desmond Bolling Jr., Liberty’s Kitchen intern and event co-coordinator, added, “I want to have the town hall because there is always more to fight for in government, and it starts with my voice being heard.”

David Emond, Liberty’s Kitchen’s Executive Director, commented: “Young people are the future of our city, and it’s inspiring to watch them become invested in the issues that affect their lives. I applaud the candidates who have accepted the invitation to engage directly with our young leaders, and I urge the other candidates in the race to join us for what I know will be an evening filled with hope and promise.”

Since 2009, Liberty’s Kitchen has served more than 600 youth, investing in their potential to achieve their vision of success. The organization has more than 40 active employment partners throughout New Orleans, all of whom are committed to providing opportunity and training through externships and employment. In addition, Liberty’s Kitchen is a local leader in providing high quality, great-tasting, and nutritious food to children attending local public charter schools. Since 2010, the organization has prepared and served well over 2 million meals, raising the standard of nutrition and helping New Orleans school children excel in the classroom and beyond. Liberty’s Kitchen operates a retail café at 300 Broad Street and a retail cafeteria at 1615 Poydras St. The organization provides a wide range of catering services from office lunches to wedding receptions and everything in between.