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AHLA Foundation Introduces First-Ever Presidential Award

At a time when the hotel industry is hurting and nearly 4 million hotel employees remain furloughed across the country, the AHLA Foundation is focused on finding innovative approaches to help displaced workers advance their skills and education. 

The Foundation is pleased to unveil its first-ever Presidential award, which grants a full-ride scholarship to help them advance their skills and education. The scholarship will cover all costs for the students to pursue an associate’s degree at Valencia College, including tuition, computer, transportation, meal benefits, and other necessary essentials.

The first four Presidential award recipients – Andre, Jordan, Larissa and Luzmary – attended Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program, funded in part by the AHLA Foundation through its Empowering Youth Program, but were furloughed as COVID-19 brought travel to a halt. As part of their training program, each youth earned industry certifications from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Due to their robust training program, they will each begin school with 18 credits already completed towards their degree.  

Funding for these scholarships comes from the generous support of AHLA Foundation donors and the Melinda Bush Mentors Scholarship Fund.

WESH 2 covered the story HERE

Congratulations to all four recipients!