MOD Pizza Program to Create Jobs for Ignored Populations

MOD Pizza, headquartered in Seattle, began in 2008 as “a loopy social experiment,” cofounder Scott Svenson instructed PMQ in 2021. The aim was to “mix the most effective of a for-profit enterprise with the guts of a nonprofit, whereby the extra profitable we had been, the higher and greater social influence we might make.”

Key to MOD’s mission: creating employment alternatives for ignored populations. Now the fast-casual pizza chain has launched a program connecting its shops with nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. to enhance job seekers which may ordinarily get handed by.

The MOD Alternative Community—or MOD O.N.—is devoted to hiring and supporting folks with boundaries to employment, particularly justice-involved people and people with mental and developmental disabilities. Its nonprofit companions will encompass these organizations that “help the readiness, placement and retention of job seekers deserving of a second probability or a primary begin,” MOD Pizza stated in a press launch.

Associated: How MOD Pizza grew to become one of many nation’s fastest-growing restaurant chains

It’s a trigger that has been integral to MOD’s social mission from the beginning. “We all know first-hand the influence inclusive hiring can have on our Squad, our tradition and the communities we serve,” MOD Cofounder Ally Svenson stated. “As MOD grew, we would have liked a sustainable, nationwide strategy to assist scale our work on this space. Surprisingly, an answer didn’t exist. Our entrepreneurial mindset motivated us to handle this problem.”

Svenson stated the MOD Alternative Community will present “a scalable, cost-effective answer that leverages the ability of for-profit enterprise working alongside nonprofit companions. Collectively, we’ll break down boundaries, create extra alternatives, and assist contribute to a world that works for and consists of everybody. We hope to offer some inspiration and learnings for different like-minded organizations and corporations alongside the best way.”

In an period of vexing labor issues for the restaurant business, MOD notes that there’s a big pool of ignored expertise—people who find themselves devoted, loyal and able to work in the event that they’re simply given an opportunity. MOD O.N. faucets into this expertise pool and is the business’s first nationwide program providing honest and equitable employment alternatives and the important thing help companies to make sure job success.

This untapped pool of expertise consists of:

Justice-involved populations: Almost 80 million grownup Individuals (1 in 3) are justice-involved, based on the Sentencing Undertaking. Moreover, per the nonprofit, nonpartisan Jail Coverage Initiative, the unemployment fee for previously incarcerated folks is 5 instances greater than the unemployment fee for the final U.S. inhabitants. Greater than 60% of previously incarcerated people are unemployed one 12 months after being launched. Research present that pre- and post-release employment companies are vital to lowering recidivism and serving to justice-involved folks rapidly combine again into society.

Associated: MOD Pizza affords second possibilities to previously incarcerated staffers

People with mental and developmental disabilities: One in 4 adults within the U.S. (26 p.c) dwell with some type of incapacity, the CDC reviews. In keeping with a Nationwide Core Indicators report, 85 p.c don’t have a paid job of their neighborhood. Moreover, per Statista, 40% of Individuals with a incapacity expertise social isolation. Having a job not solely gives a paycheck, however a way of function and belonging.

Associated: MOD Pizza commits to hiring extra staff with autism and differing skills

MOD O.N. will launch in 11 states, together with Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. It’s going to serve 29 cities, “activating nationwide and regional organizations to assist MOD scale its fair-chance hiring follow and create a mannequin for different companies,” the press launch states. “Whereas a job is a primary step, boundaries can lengthen past employment, from transportation to housing, know-how to banking and extra. By MOD O.N., key companions will assist present vital wrap-around companies to additional present stability and assist to enhance job success.”

Launch accomplice organizations embody:

Goodwill Industries Worldwide: A number one workforce supplier of job coaching and placement companies for people who’re impacted by the justice system.

FareStart: Offers job coaching and help companies to people and consulting to employers who share a dedication to creating inclusive workplaces.

Hospitality Alternatives for Folks ReEntering Society (HOPES): A Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation Schooling Basis (NRAEF) program that companions with Departments of Corrections, community-based organizations, and state restaurant associations to attach justice-involved adults to profession alternatives within the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality business.

Finest Buddies Worldwide: The Finest Buddies Jobs Program connects employers and people with mental and developmental disabilities to job alternatives and gives on-site job coaches and help all through the length of employment.

Meadowlark Employment Providers: A key supplier of employment coaching and help for folks with mental and developmental disabilities in Oregon and Idaho.

By the top of 2024, the aim is for MOD O.N. to increase into not less than 21 states.

“MOD’s dedication to hiring people with mental and developmental disabilities is really exemplary, and our shared values of acceptance, inclusion and belonging empower folks with IDD to flourish and lead fulfilling and productive lives,” stated Anthony Okay. Shriver, founder, chairman and CEO of Finest Buddies Worldwide. “Finest Buddies Jobs candidates possess a various vary of expertise, skills and {qualifications} that they carry to the office. Using people with disabilities is a great enterprise resolution for corporations.”

“With the modern strategy of the MOD Alternative Community, these impacted by the justice system can have the second probability they deserve,” added Martin Scaglione, chief mission officer for Goodwill Industries Worldwide. “With out the help of employers, the cycle of incarceration might doubtlessly proceed. It’s our hope that every one companies will contemplate the standard of an applicant slightly than specializing in their previous.”

The launch of MOD O.N. is a part of the model’s ongoing social influence technique. In 2022, MOD was a founding member of the Workforce and Justice Alliance and launched tuition-free faculty and profession improvement applications to its Squad. In 2020, MOD signed—and exceeded—the aim of the Delivering Jobs pledge, the corporate says.

To study extra about MOD’s Social Affect, please go to: https://modpizza.com/our-purpose