CityWorks DC Receives The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation Grant to Launch Hire Local DC Hospitality Sector Partnership
The grant will accelerate CityWorks DC and the Federal City Council’s collaboration with local hospitality leaders, to advance a shared focus on strengthening the sector by growing the local talent pipeline of DC residents with well-paying jobs in the industry
Washington, DC – Today, The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation awarded CityWorks DC a $400,000 grant that will enable Hire Local DC – a joint effort between CityWorks DC and the Federal City Council – to launch a new Hospitality Sector Partnership to connect DC residents to well-paying jobs in the city’s vibrant hospitality sector. This expansion builds off the success of a pilot program that has placed 110 DC residents in roles with Sector Partnership employers, which include Donohoe Hospitality, the Levy Group, Marriott hotels, Clyde’s Group, and Events DC. The grant will be officially announced at the Hire Local DC Hospitality Sector Partnership Launch at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown.
Hire Local DC, a coalition of employers, workforce organizations, educational institutions, and city agencies, seeks to increase the number of DC residents hired and succeeding in good jobs and ensure that local employers have a reliable source of talent. The Hospitality Sector Partnership has two complementary goals: ensuring that DC residents are successfully hired into and retained in jobs in the DC area hospitality sector and that DC area hospitality sector employers have the local talent they need to grow. With employers in the lead, the Sector Partnership addresses talent needs by identifying problems, developing plans, and implementing solutions. Employers work closely with local schools, training providers, government agencies, community-based organizations, and industry groups that provide critical support and connect residents to recruitment, hiring, and retention opportunities.
"We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation," said Jennie Niles, Founder and CEO of CityWorks DC. "This funding will significantly enhance our ability to connect DC residents with meaningful career opportunities in the hospitality sector, driving economic growth and stability in our community."
“In the hospitality industry, we believe deeply in building and growing our future leadership - it's part of our industry’s culture and what makes us special. During and after the pandemic, it’s been harder to do that well. There was lots of activity, but not sufficient outcomes. And in the meantime, residents were losing hope and losing opportunities,” said Thomas Penny, President of Donohoe Hospitality, a leading member of the Hospitality Sector Partnership. “We decided to try something different with Hire Local DC. We’ve seen promising outcomes so far, and also some important lessons learned - things the candidates need to do better, the education and training providers need to do better, and things that we, the employers, need to do better. And I think we can do better, together.”
Kevin Clinton, Federal City Council’s Chief Program Officer, said, "This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration between public and private sectors. With the Marriott Foundation's support, we can continue to significantly impact the hospitality industry in DC, providing residents with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive."
“The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation is proud to support this initiative,” said Mieka Wick, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer. “We believe in the potential of this partnership to transform lives by providing access to quality jobs and career advancement opportunities. This grant aligns with our mission to create lasting community impact through strategic investments.”
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About CityWorks DC
CityWorks DC’s mission is to dramatically improve the early career outcomes of DC youth and young adults of color by creating innovative programs and by mobilizing employers, educators, and city leaders to create a local, diverse talent pipeline. Our work is to ensure that young people acquire industry-valued credentials; paid, relevant work experience; and social capital. Our vision is that all DC youth and young adults of color secure meaningful work that allows them to thrive and enables regional employers to rely on local talent to grow.To learn more about the organization’s programs and partnerships, visit cityworksdc.org.
About Hire Local DC
Hire Local DC is a collaboration between CityWorks DC and the Federal City Council, convening employers and strategic partners together to ensure that DC residents obtain DC’s “good” jobs. Hire Local DC believes that when companies hire local talent, their businesses thrive, our residents thrive, and our local economy thrives. To learn more, visit https://www.hirelocaldc.org/.
