MARICOPA, AZ – For the Ak-Chin Indian Community, preparing the next generation for success has become a defining priority – and at the center of that effort is the Harrah’s Development System (HDS) at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. More than a workforce training initiative, HDS serves as a long-term pipeline for community development and career growth. Since fall 2024, its Community Youth Program has offered year-round opportunities for tribal youth to build job skills, develop leadership abilities, and explore career paths that extend well beyond school.
This year, 13 high school students joined the program, working in non-gaming areas of the casino such as housekeeping, facilities, warehouse, hotel, and restaurant outlets. Each youth associate attended new-hire orientation and departmental onboarding under the guidance of Della Honie, HDS Supervisor, and Erica Oliver, HDS Manager.
“We want every young person who walks through our doors to feel like a valued part of the Harrah’s Ak-Chin team,” said Oliver. “From orientation to their last day on the job, we treat them like future leaders. That’s the mindset we want them to carry with them.”
While hands-on work experience is central to the program, the HDS Community Youth Program is equally dedicated to building confidence and leadership skills. Weekly Toastmasters sessions helped participants strengthen their public speaking abilities and think on their feet, while biweekly department meetings encouraged them to reflect on what they were learning and present their progress to peers and mentors.
Workshops added another layer of growth. A Time Management Workshop, led by Jane Stimmel, Employee Engagement Manager, offered practical strategies for balancing responsibilities, while a Financial Literacy Workshop, facilitated by Finance Director Bambi Johnson, provided participants with tools for budgeting and money management.
“Life skills are just as important as job skills,” said Johnson. “If we can teach youth how to manage time and money early, we’re setting them up for long-term success.”
The program also connects youth with the broader enterprises that sustain the Ak-Chin Indian Community. During a tour of the Ak-Chin Regional Airport, participants learned how its expansion has contributed to economic growth and created new revenue streams for the Ak-Chin Indian Community. At the Ak-Chin Farms, the participants followed potatoes from the field to the factory floor, watching them move along conveyor belts, packaged for distribution to major brands like In-N-Out Burger and Frito-Lay.
“These visits show our youth that there are incredible career opportunities right here in Maricopa,” said Honie. “They can find good work here and we want them to see that firsthand.”
Each year, the program concludes with a celebratory gathering. This year, the end of program celebration included a potluck “Big Back Party” and bowling at the Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center. But the real success was in what came next. Three high school graduates who completed the program have accepted full-time positions within the HDS pipeline at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, a clear reflection of the program’s ability to guide youth from exploration to career readiness.
“I’m incredibly proud of our partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community,” said Michael Kintner, SVP and GM of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. “Through the HDS Program, we’re providing education, training, and internship opportunities that empower community members to thrive, both here at home and wherever their paths may lead. By investing in our young people today, we’re helping ensure they have bright futures to look forward to. They are the foundation of tomorrow and supporting them now is one of the most important things we can do.”
Importantly, these opportunities don’t end when summer ends. The Community Youth Program now operates year-round, allowing participants to continue working weekends, holiday breaks, and school early-release days. Weekly Toastmasters sessions remain open to high school students who want to keep sharpening their skills.
The HDS pathway is designed in layers: starting with youth associates, advancing to internships, and extending into full-time careers. Interns and graduates often return to share their experiences with new participants, serving as mentors and role models for the next wave of tribal youth.
By weaving together employment, education, mentoring, and service, the Harrah’s Ak-Chin HDS Community Youth Program represents a direct investment in the future of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The program is helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed, while also deepening their understanding of the enterprises that sustain their tribe.
“This isn’t just about building careers,” said Oliver. “It’s about building leaders who will carry our community forward.”
