Marriott International has announced it raised €400,000 last year to support youth employability charities across Europe, taking the total amount raised since 2012 to €2.5 million.
The money, raised through its restaurant promotion, You Eat, We Give, saw the company donate a pound or euro for every lunch and dinner served in its restaurants throughout September and October. The initiative is part of Marriott’s wider World of Opportunity programme, which aims to find and nurture the wealth of talent that currently lies untapped in 15-24 year olds throughout Europe.
Reiner Sachau, Chief Operations Officer for Marriott International in Europe, commented: “Marriott has a long history of investing in programmes that help young people. It’s been amazing to see the results of our You Eat, We Give fundraising campaign and we look forward to supporting young people as they move into the world of work. Since 2012, our associates have volunteered over 70,000 hours of their time and we’re proud of their commitment to helping young people in Europe realise their full potential and open the doors to meaningful employment.”
Marriott will use the money to support two charitable partners: in the UK, the money will be donated to The Prince’s Trust to fund employability programmes such as Get into Hospitality. Across Continental Europe, funds donated will be used by SOS Children’s Villages International to support young people in their programmes into independent life and careers. Working in partnership with both organizations, Marriott’s World of Opportunity training courses develop employment skills and “life skills” that help young adults from challenging backgrounds to take their first step into work and independent living. This initiative supports the company’s sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, and its commitment to Empower Through Opportunity.
Patricia Molano, head of International Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at SOS Children’s Villages International said: “A core part of our work at SOS Children’s Villages is to support young people on their journey to self-reliance and finding decent work. Corporate partners such as Marriott International are invaluable in helping us to ensure that young people in our care have the skills and knowledge they need as they launch their careers and follow their dreams. Since 2012, Marriott International has shown an important commitment to the young people in our care, for which we are profoundly grateful.”
