 |
1/30/2006
LOCAL NON-PROFIT MAKING AN IMPACT ON
HOMELESSNESS AND BOSTON HOTEL INDUSTRY
BOSTON, MA – January 30, 2006 – Community Work Services provides
local hotels with well-trained, qualified, job candidates.
The At Your Service Program (AYS) operated by Community Work
Services (CWS) with its partner the Massachusetts Lodging
Association Education Foundation (MLAEF) is designed to address
two growing problems in the Boston area – homelessness and lack of
qualified workers for Boston’s thriving hotel industry.
Utilizing an internationally recognized curriculum developed by
the American Hotel and Lodging Association and funding provided by
the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development, AYS
provides individuals who are homeless with the industry-based
knowledge and customer service skills that they need to be
successful in the hotel industry. Hotels are a good match for this
population because they offer a vast array of entry-level jobs
that pay living wages with many options for growth and
advancement. AYS is dedicated to helping people, not just to get
their first job, but to pursue careers, which will provide them
with stability and bright futures.
CWS provides eight weeks of instruction along with support
services that last up to a year after job placement. MLAEF
coordinates relationship building with participating hotels, which
offer job shadowing, internship opportunities and professional
guidance. Since it inception in 2005, more than 20 individuals
have gotten jobs at an average hourly wage of $11.50. Jobs range
from room attendants to concierge positions. In 2006, AYS expects
to train 60 individuals and work with over 20 area hotels.
Len Hartwell, General Manager of Boston’s Bulfinch Hotel states,
“The program offers job seekers a foot in the door to a career in
the hospitality industry “The Bulfinch Hotel is very impressed
with the level of employee that AYS has provided. The skills that
CWS provides its students, contribute tremendously to the
transition from the classroom to the hotel work place. We at the
Bulfinch Hotel are committed to working with AYS to ensure a
solidly based community relationship that will be mutually
beneficial to all parties involved.”
Since 1877, CWS has been helping Boston area residents with
barriers through its quality job training programs. All CWS
services are free to program participants. The At Your Service
program will be featured this Sunday, February 5, 2006 at 11:30AM.
on WHDH, Channel 7’s Urban Update.
Media Contact:
Serena Powell - Executive Director
Community Work Services
617.720.5328
www.cwsbos.com
Return to In the News home page |
|
