Nationwide, our properties partner with Project SEARCH to offer on-the-job internships and trainings to learn professional skills and discover a future in hospitality
Eight years ago, David Scott, then the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista, helped kick off the first Embassy Suites by Hilton Brand partnership with Project SEARCH: an organization that helps adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities learn critical job skills to assist them in finding meaningful employment in the community. Project SEARCH was originally started to create job opportunities in hospitals and David quickly realized that these talented individuals could also easily make a big impact in hospitality. Soon, the Embassy Suites' partnership with Project SEARCH took off, and since 2013, 21 Embassy Suites by Hilton properties have established programs with the organization. More than 450 individuals have participated in the program to date and over 150 Project SEARCH graduates have been placed in full-time opportunities by our hotels.
“When you hire individuals with special needs, you learn to grow with these individuals,” David shared. “You will not only see the growth of these individuals but also growth in yourself and your other Team Members.”
"When COVID-19 impacted our hotels and communities in unimaginable ways earlier this year, our Team Members sprang into action to creatively support our Project SEARCH interns even though they could no longer continue on-site programs
Read on to learn more about our Project SEARCH programs at the Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square, the Embassy Suites Crystal City. and the DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City.
Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square
John DeRosa, Director of Sales and Marketing, for the Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square has led the Project SEARCH partnership at his hotel since 2015. John describes the program “as life-changing not only for the interns we serve, but also for me personally. Watching someone come into the program and blossom makes you really reflect on the things that are important in life.”
His passion for this program has continued throughout the pandemic. When the onsite program was suspended in early March, the hotel continued to support their valuable interns virtually, allowing them to complete their trainings through Zoom meetings. At the end of the program, the hotel hosted a creative graduation event– complete with a drive-thru parade and a Zoom ceremony which gave the interns the chance to be celebrated and share their final presentations with the community and their families.
“When the interns enter into our program, they become part of our family,” John said. “Our Team Members become mentors; hotel guests have shared how much this inspires them; and our interns get a chance to explore what kind of work they want for their future. It has been a tremendous example for other businesses we partner with on how to hire and accommodate people of different abilities.”
The hotel is looking forward to welcoming a new intern class next year, but in the meantime, they are finding ways to continue to share the light and warmth of hospitality with this valuable group of potential Team Members. John and other leaders in his hotel have created five hospitality training videos that will keep the hotel engaged with Project SEARCH and keep individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities aware of employment opportunities that are out there for them.
Embassy Suites Crystal City & DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City
Faith Grant, Director of HR, and Charles Hill, General Manager, also have had a long-standing relationship with their local chapter of Project SEARCH at both the Embassy Suites Crystal City and the DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City.
“The Project SEARCH program in the Capital Region has given me both personal and professional satisfaction knowing we play a small part in helping those who need it,” Charles shared. “I have a nephew with autism who is growing up quickly and soon will need to find his place in the world. Knowing that programs like Project SEARCH exist means he will have the opportunity to be an active and productive member of society.”
When the pandemic impacted the hotels in the DC area, the team also had to abruptly end their on-site program, but they found ways to support their Project SEARCH interns virtually to celebrate the completion of their internship! This included personalized video graduation messages of pride and excitement from hotel leadership.
Charles and Faith have found other great ways to share our #HiltonHospitality with Project SEARCH participants – which included a virtual behind-the-scenes property tour and a Q&A session answering questions about jobs in hospitality.
“The impact our interns have had on our hotels is felt by everyone,” Charles said. “Getting the chance to welcome these new members to the team when they first begin and then see them progress as the year goes on is something that has brought our teams together.”
As true champions of disabilities employment, our Team Members have shared Project SEARCH's initiative with other hotels and organizations to encourage and inspire their involvement.
#TeamHilton is proud to be an inclusive workforce of those with all abilities and was recently honored as a >National Organization on Disability Leading Disability Employer.
