Bridges...from school to work program dinner 2013.

Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities’ Bridges...from school to work® (Bridges) recently received a $150,000 grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The grant will support a three-year pilot of the Bridges program in Baltimore City Public Schools. For more than 20 years, the Bridges program has worked to reduce the career gap for youth ages 17-22 with mental, physical and cognitive disabilities. Since its founding, the program has placed 13,500 young adults with more than 3,500 employers across the country. The Weinberg Foundation grant has allowed Bridges to open a new office in Baltimore, Md. This is the newest Bridges office and the first to open since 2005.

Twenty students from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (MERVO) and Benjamin Franklin Senior High School are the first to receive job readiness training such as mock interviewing, online application processing and customer service skills through the program. To date, nine students have been placed into entry-level, competitive, paid employment opportunities with companies such as the Baltimore Orioles’ Stadium, Burger King, Great Kids Farm and Johns Hopkins University Bookstore (Starbucks® Café).

“Providing meaningful employment opportunities for youth with disabilities is our priority and we are thrilled to be able to extend our program and its services to Baltimore,” says Shelby Hill, director of the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Metropolitan Areas Bridges program. "Bridges students have incredible potential and can make a substantial contribution to the workplace. We appreciate the support from our employer and school partners who help us make employment a reality for our students."

Each year, Baltimore County Public Schools will increase the number of students being referred to Bridges by 20. The implementation of the program model will provide job readiness training and workplace etiquette mentoring on an ongoing annual basis.

The Marriott Foundation’s Bridges…from school to work program is located in nine cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Md., and Atlanta. For more information on the Bridges program or to make a donation, visit www.bridgestowork.org.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States. Their sole purpose is to assist low-income and vulnerable individuals and families through nonprofit grants to direct-service providers and programs.

Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012.

The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.

There are approximately 325,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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