MGM Resorts International Announces Best Buddies Partnership to Promote Employment Opportunities for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

LAS VEGAS, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is pleased to announce its partnership with Best Buddies Nevada to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

With the help of a $120,000 MGM Resorts donation, spanning 2014 and 2015, Best Buddies Nevada will support a candidate selection process that will provide persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with opportunities for employment in jobs specified by MGM Resorts. For those candidates hired, Best Buddies Nevada will offer special on-the-job training and other workplace support in collaboration with the company. 

"As our company expands, our workforce will also grow significantly," said Michelle DiTondo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for MGM Resorts International. "We need to recruit and retain a full range of talent represented by candidates with diverse backgrounds in order to reflect our community and the customers we serve. Our partnership with Best Buddies Nevada is another way that we strive to do just that." 

The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with IDD.  Through its Best Buddies Jobs program, the nonprofit matches skilled and qualified persons with IDD with businesses that are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated employees.

"We are grateful for the partnership between MGM Resorts International and Best Buddies Nevada because this investment enhances the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Jason Smith, State Director for Best Buddies Nevada. "These efforts will enrich the lives of all Nevadans and show the value and importance of the disability awareness movement."

For more information about MGM Resorts' Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, please visit: www.mgmresorts.com/csr.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.  The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features Aria resort and casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 900,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies. 

SOURCE MGM Resorts International