The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Extends The Succeed Through Service Youth Engagement Toolkit On An Open Source Basis

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Engage. Inspire. Contribute. When it comes to laying a foundation for success for at-risk youth, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Succeed Through Service program is an award-winning blueprint that is elevating the potential for young people across the United States and around the world.

Through Succeed Through Service, Ritz-Carlton employees mentor students in low income communities to follow their passions, imagine futures not previously envisioned, understand the value of giving back to their community, and learn valuable life skills that will help them forge a path of success. Developed in partnership with America's Promise Alliance, The Ritz-Carlton formulated a core curriculum which leveraged the company's embedded focus on training excellence and created Succeed Through Service which, since launching in 2009, has benefitted over 15,000 students. To expand the program's reach and impact, The Ritz-Carlton is making the curriculum available to the private sector, non-profits and educators on an open source, non-proprietary basis.    

"We thank you so much because you're not only investing in kids, you are investing in the future of our country and the other countries where you are located," said General Colin L. Powell, founding chairman of America's Promise Alliance.

On January 30^th, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Corporation for National and Community Service, recognized The Ritz-Carlton for outstanding contributions to advancing quality mentoring opportunities for the nation's youth through the Succeed Through Service program.  Honored during an awards ceremony at the 2014 National Mentoring Summit for the "Most Robust and Comprehensive National Youth Mentoring Program," The Ritz-Carlton was also recognized for participation in the Corporate Mentoring Challenge.  First Lady, Michelle Obama, launched the Corporate Mentoring Challenge at the 2011 National Mentoring Summit to urge the private sector to create or expand a mentoring initiative and engage their employees to "build a culture where no child ever feels like they're on their own."

"We are committed to enhancing the lives, well-being and career prospects for young people in communities in which we operate hotels, and our Succeed Through Service program provides a platform for us to deliver on that promise," said Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer.  "It is our hope that by sharing the Succeed Through Service toolkit on an open source basis, others will be inspired to help young students flourish, complete their education and have a successful and productive life."

The Succeed Through Service Open Source Toolkit is a practical resource to establishing a comprehensive youth engagement program. It provides a roadmap on how to successfully partner with a school; engage and prepare employee trainers and mentors; set the stage and inspire the students; implement the curriculum and evaluate its impact. The curriculum includes modules on the value of social skills (eye-contact, a great smile and a firm handshake); healthy eating habits and how to safely handle food; group presentation skills; and the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The Toolkit also provides lesson plans and supporting PowerPoint presentations enabling volunteers to easily deliver the content in an informed, compelling manner, leveraging their own skills and competencies.

For more information on Succeed Through Service, please contact Sue Stephenson, vice president, Community Footprints ([email protected]) or to download the Toolkit visit Succeed Through Service Open Source. 

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 85 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR).

About Community Footprints
With a commitment to "Expand Global Citizenship," The Ritz-Carlton social and environmental responsibility program, Community Footprints, is embedded into the company's service values, long range plan and business operations. This commitment is focused on child well-being, environmental responsibility and hunger and poverty relief. For more information visit www.communityfootprints.com, or follow The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RitzCarltonCSR.

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.