The Spirit To Serve In Action
Our community outreach begins with identifying the critical needs that Marriott has the resources and experience to address. We focus on 4 primary areas where we believe our knowledge, experience, and products can do the most good in our communities:
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Career Opportunities
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Marriott has a tradition of supporting programs that put education, job readiness, and workplace training within the reach of everyone. Reaching out to help individuals who face barriers to the workplace is accomplished through targeted programs and partnerships.
America's Promise
Through our pledge to help America's youth, we help at-risk, high-school students make the transition to meaningful careers by providing financial assistance for education, "job shadow," and internship opportunities at Marriott facilities. Scholarships are offered through our community-based partners, and thousands of students discover hospitality as a career path by participating in activities on National Groundhog Job Shadow Day.
Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities >>
More than 50% of high school students who leave special education each year remain unemployed a year later. The Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities established the "Bridges... from School to Work" program to give these young people better access to productive and fulfilling work. This program operates in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC.
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Family Services
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Helping find solutions to personal and family problems on the home front benefits everyone: associates, customers, communities, and our business. Through numerous internal programs and community outreach efforts, we help resolve issues that affect both work and personal life.
Marriott Family Services Fund
To ensure valuable services such as help with child care, transportation, and housing continue, Marriott invites nonprofit organizations in our major markets to apply for grants from this fund. These organizations are nominated by our local operations.
Child Care and Family Services
Finding child care that accommodates nontraditional work hours is of great concern to many workers. One way that Marriott helps is by participating in innovative public/private partnerships that offer comprehensive programs and affordable services.
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Community Partnerships
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In addition to our own independently run programs, Marriott is a partner with a number of nonprofit organizations that provide vital services to our communities.
American Red Cross, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Marriott has a long history of supporting the American Red Cross. As our operations expanded globally, so did our partnership with the Red Cross. Marriott business units and associates support Red Cross and Red Crescent societies by sponsoring blood drives, contributing to disaster relief efforts, and raising funds for local programs. In addition, Marriott contributes annually to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund so that funds can be directed to communities around the world affected by disaster.
Children's Miracle Network
More than 24 years ago, Marriott became the first corporate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network, which raises funds for 170 affiliated children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. Since that time, we have contributed nearly $50 million to help children needing hospitalization in our local communities. Most funds are raised through Marriott Pride, an initiative created by the company so that our associates can play a role in their hometowns.
Habitat for Humanity International
In 1995, Fairfield Inn by Marriott joined with Habitat for Humanity International to help provide decent and affordable homes for people in need. Since that time, Marriott International has contributed volunteer labor and funds toward the completion of hundreds of homes. Marriott's partnership with Habitat has grown to include the involvement of other brands and businesses and was expanded in 2001 to the company's international locations.
America's Second Harvest
The America's Second Harvest network of more than 200 food banks and food-rescue programs is our partner that links Marriott facilities to thousands of organizations in North America that operate feeding programs. We are proud of our comprehensive program that ensures safe-to-donate surplus food from Marriott properties doesn't go to waste.
United Way
Supporting United Way through associate and company contributions is a tradition at Marriott. Donations to United Way's annual campaign touch the lives of those closest to us: families, neighbors, and fellow associates.
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Associate Involvement
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Marriott's community programs and initiatives rely on the energy, time, and commitment of thousands of volunteers from our facilities throughout the world. Their dedication and enthusiasm exemplify the "Spirit to Serve" that is a hallmark of Marriott. Volunteer activities give our associates opportunities to grow, learn new skills, and take pride in their contribution, both on the job and away from work.
Spirit To Serve Our Communities Day
Helping with community needs is a year-round commitment at Marriott. And each May, we set aside a special time to help our less fortunate neighbors when we honor our worldwide family of associates during Associate Appreciation Week. Thousands of Marriott volunteers reach out during this time, touching our communities around the globe.
Preserving the Environment
People aren't the only focus of Marriott's efforts to improve our communities. We have also developed a comprehensive company-wide policy to promote business practices that help preserve the environment. ECHO (Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations) provides guidelines for all of our facilities, and our goals are to "reduce—reuse—recycle" as much as we can. Our associates also play a role by planting trees, cleaning beaches, and undertaking other activities that help restore our natural resources. We believe that everybody should take action to protect our environment for today and for the future.
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