Bethesda, Md., June 12, 2014 – On the 25th anniversary of its creation, the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities (MFPD) Bridges from School to Work program has served more than 20,000 youth with disabilities ? helping to train and find employment across a variety of industries in nine markets throughout the United States.
The Bridges program, created by the Marriott family, assists students with disabilities to transition into the workforce by pairing them with companies that need entry?level employees. The program serves about 1,000 mostly urban youth with disabilities annually, placing almost 80% of them into competitive positions with local businesses.
?We are thrilled by the success of the Foundation?s Bridges from School to Work program,? said Richard E. Marriott, Chairman, Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities. ?I am proud that a program, designed by Marriott associates is, after 25 years, still aiding youth in reaching their potential in the workforce, while simultaneously adding positive economic value to their local communities.?
The Foundation kicked off what will be a year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary at the annual Bridges Gala, held at the new Marriott Marquis Washington, DC on June 11. Hosted by Dick Marriott and co-chairs Tom Baltimore and Neal Wilson, the evening was attended by 1,000 business and community leaders and raised $1.5M in support of Bridges youth. The event recognized The Kroger Company as ?Employer of the Year? and featured keynote speaker Bonnie St. John. There was also a moving tribute to Stephen Garff Marriott, an early Foundation board member, who passed away last year. It was announced that the Foundation?s annual youth achievement award would be renamed in his honor.
Garrett Jones, of Cobb County, Georgia, was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Stephen G. Marriott Youth Achievement Award. Jones connected with the Bridges program in 2012, two years after graduating high school, frustrated by his lack of progress towards vocational and life goals. With the help of Bridges staff, Jones earned a job as a laundry attendant at the Atlanta Northwest Marriott. He struggled, initially, to learn the position, but his positive energy, determination, and willingness to pitch in wherever he was needed wowed supervisors and co-workers alike, leading to new opportunities beyond the laundry department. During the ice storms that paralyzed Atlanta earlier this year, stranding many hotel associates on the road, Jones cemented his reputation by cheerfully tackling the dirty dishes that had piled up in the kitchen. Executive Chef Jeff Caruso formally asked Jones to transfer from the laundry to the kitchen, and is now mentoring and training him for a career in food service.
?Garrett Jones? willingness to help and ability to remain positive in stressful situations is exactly why he is being honored as the Stephen G. Marriott Youth Achievement Award recipient. His success demonstrates that people with disabilities only need to be given an opportunity to excel and they will,? said Tad Asbury, vice president and executive director, Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities.
A non-profit organization, the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities receives core underwriting by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, and is further supported by multiple grants, sponsorships and contributions. With a core mission to enhance employment opportunities for youth with disabilities, the Foundation operates Bridges from School to Work in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Montgomery County (MD), Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, DC.? For more information on the Bridges program or to make a donation, visit http://www.bridgestowork.org.