Washington-Area Honorees Recognized by the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, DC, June 15, 2005. The top Washington-area employer and student honorees for 2005 were recognized by the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities for their achievements in the Foundation's "Bridges ... from school to work" program. First developed in 1989 by the Foundation in Montgomery County, Md., the Bridges program places young people with disabilities who are preparing to exit high school in jobs with local employers.
The Foundation named Consolidated Theatres, The Majestic, in Silver Spring, Md., as 2005 Employer of the Year. The Majestic has developed lists of key success factors for entry-level positions to help ensure good job matches; and, as a result, a total of ten Bridges youth have been hired, the great majority of whom continue to be successfully employed. The Majestic offers many opportunities for cross training and actively promotes employees who are ready to move into more challenging positions.
Michael Bradley of Washington, D.C., was honored with the Foundation's 2005 Youth Achievement Award. Mr. Bradley grew up in southeast Washington, D.C., facing disabilities, including a speech impediment that can make communication challenging. However, his love for theater and the arts led to his landing a position as usher and guide at the Kennedy Center in Washington. He was soon promoted to full time status and given expanded responsibilities; and, a year and a half later, he continues to be a valued member of their workforce.
The Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities was established in 1989 by the family of J. Willard Marriott, founder of Marriott International. Richard E. Marriott, chairman of Host Marriott Corporation, serves as chairman of the Foundation's board of trustees.
The Foundation's mission is to foster the employment of young people with disabilities. To achieve this, the Foundation established the Bridges program, which places young people with disabilities who are preparing to exit high school in jobs with local employers. With a long-term focus on career development, the program continues to work with these youth to help them grow and advance on the job. Bridges continues to operate in Montgomery County, Md., and has also been established in the inner cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
To date, Bridges programs have facilitated the placement of more than 7,800 young people in competitive jobs with over 1,500 employers. The great majority of these youth are members of ethnic or racial minority groups and many face additional socio-economic challenges. Bridges currently serves an additional 1,100 youth annually. For these young adults, the future holds the prospect of productive and fulfilling work, and a new and important role as contributing members of their communities.
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