AHLA Foundation Awards $175,000 to Community Groups in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, and Washington DC to Train Opportunity Youth

The AHLA Foundation today announced it is awarding $175,000 in total to community-based organizations that help change the lives of Opportunity Youth by preparing them for future careers in hospitality. Through a combination of continued and newly started partnerships, the AHLA Foundation will join forces with organizations in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, and Washington DC to help train an estimated 370 youth for hotel jobs.

These recently awarded grants are part of the reinvigorated Empowering Youth Program (EYP) – an effort focused on engaging, educating, and advancing new talent in hospitality.

“Supporting our community youth by creating opportunities in the hotel industry is core to our mission at the AHLA Foundation,” said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with these organizations that work hard to uplift aspiring individuals. Together, we can provide them with a career path and help solve the work shortage in our industry.”

By equipping participants with professional tools and trainings, EYP provides young people with the skills required to succeed and advance in the hotel industry. The below organizations received a grant from the AHLA Foundation:

  • Covenant House Greater Washington
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Los Angeles LGBT Center
  • Pathlight HOME, Orlando
  • Youth Build Compton
  • Liberty’s Kitchen, New Orleans
  • Café Reconcile, New Orleans

To learn more about EYP and our partnerships with community-based organizations, please visit www.ahlafoundation.com.

Sustainability Sustainability USA & Canada United States

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80 percent of all franchised hotels and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry...