Park Hyatt St. Kitts and ZAC Empower Inmates through Entrepreneurship Program

Park Hyatt St. Kitts, a luxury resort known for its commitment to community engagement, has embarked on a transformative partnership with Zakers Affinity Causes (ZAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to community revitalization. This collaboration centers around ZAC’s innovative RISE 1840 – Entrepreneurship Behind Bars (EBB) initiative, a program designed to equip incarcerated women at His Majesty’s Prison with culinary skills and entrepreneurial knowledge to facilitate their successful reintegration into society. The program aims to empower these women by providing them with marketable skills and the foundation for creating their own businesses upon release, fostering self-sufficiency and reducing the likelihood of recidivism. This partnership reflects a shared vision of creating positive social impact and aligns with Park Hyatt St. Kitts’ broader commitment to social responsibility and its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.

The partnership launched with a practical cake decorating class held within the prison, led by an experienced pastry chef from Park Hyatt St. Kitts. This introductory workshop provided the inmates with fundamental baking and decorating skills, offering a creative outlet and a glimpse into the potential of a culinary career. The class served as a catalyst for exploring the possibilities of entrepreneurship within the food industry, inspiring the women to envision a future beyond incarceration. This hands-on experience marked the beginning of a structured program designed to build confidence and provide tangible skills for future employment or business ventures.

Kristy Daniel, Human Resource and Learning Manager at Park Hyatt St. Kitts, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing the company’s belief in the potential of the incarcerated women. She highlighted the program as an opportunity for a new chapter in their lives, emphasizing a hopeful future beyond their current circumstances. This sentiment underscores the core principle of the EBB program, which is to empower the participants and offer a pathway towards a productive and fulfilling life after release. The support from Park Hyatt St. Kitts not only provides practical skills training but also instills a sense of hope and possibility.

Venetta Zakers, Director of ZAC, emphasized the importance of providing immediately applicable skills through the EBB program. She underscored the value of the partnership with Park Hyatt St. Kitts, recognizing the significant contribution of their mentorship and real-world insights. Ms. Zakers believes that the collaboration with a prestigious organization like Park Hyatt St. Kitts provides invaluable credibility and inspiration for the participants. This partnership exemplifies the positive impact of cross-sector collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of reintegration, demonstrating the potential for businesses and non-profit organizations to work together to create meaningful change.

The RISE 1840 – EBB program is designed to be more than just skills training. It incorporates comprehensive elements of business planning, financial literacy, and marketing, providing the women with a holistic approach to entrepreneurship. By equipping them with these essential business skills, the program empowers participants to develop their own micro-enterprises upon release. This comprehensive curriculum aims to foster self-sufficiency, build confidence, and nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing the women for successful reentry into society and reducing the likelihood of recidivism. The combination of practical culinary skills and essential business knowledge provides a strong foundation for future success.

The collaboration between Park Hyatt St. Kitts and ZAC represents a significant step towards prison reform through rehabilitation, skills development, and the affirmation of human dignity. The EBB program provides a pathway to economic empowerment and reduces recidivism by providing incarcerated women with tangible skills and the knowledge to create their own businesses. This initiative aligns perfectly with Park Hyatt’s “World of Care” environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting communities and fostering inclusivity. The partnership stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and its potential to transform lives and build stronger communities.