Marriott Expands Job Opportunities for Disadvantaged Youth Worldwide
W. Marriott, Jr. Announces $250,000 Contribution and Additional $250,000 Matching Grant
OCTOBER 10, 2007. Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) will expand job opportunities for disadvantaged youth across the globe by providing education and on-the-job training through the Youth Career Initiative (YCI) program. In addition, a $250,000 grant has been made by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, along with a separate $250,000 challenge grant, to help expand the program into several countries.
Accepting a "World Savers" corporate social responsibility award from Conde Nast Traveler today, J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, said that the challenge grant will encourage guests and other hotel companies to support this program and any contributions will be eligible for the dollar-for-dollar match by the Foundation.
"The Youth Career Initiative program provides life-changing alternatives for young people from challenging backgrounds," said Mr. Marriott, "and by introducing these young people to hospitality, we hope that some of them will decide to pursue a career in the industry."
Through the YCI program, 1,600 young people are already on paths toward promising careers in Australia, Brazil, Poland, Romania, Thailand, Jordan, Mexico, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The program combines six months of classroom training with on-the-job experience in the hotel industry. Marriott will help introduce the youth employability program in Egypt, Costa Rica, India, Vietnam, and the Caribbean, and eventually further into Latin America and Southeast Asia.
"This program has helped me see life differently," said recent YCI graduate Dumitru Marius, a 22-year old server at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Bucharest, Romania. "I learned that if I work hard enough to get something, there is a chance for me too."
In the October issue of Conde Nast Traveler, Marriott invites readers to participate in an online auction at http://www.ebay.com/JWMarriottHotelsforCharity for week-long stays at 20 J.W. Marriott hotels around the world. Proceeds will benefit Youth Career Initiative and will be eligible for the challenge grant match provided by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
Celebrating 80 years of service, Marriott has a long history of social responsibility and community engagement. Recently, the company branded and focused its "Spirit To Serve Our Communities" program to address these signature issues under the "SERVE" umbrella:
Shelter and Food
Environment
Readiness for Hotel Careers
Vitality of Children
Embracing Diversity and People with Disabilities
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
