February 15, 2012
Wintergreen Resort received the 2011 Employer Leadership Award for its efforts helping refugees earn a living wage.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) hosted the celebration Wednesday to thank all employers who work with them to help find refugees a job once they come to America. The IRC says employment is the first step to making sure refugees have a successful, self-sufficient life in this country.
“Wintergreen has long been a valuable partner in helping refugees find dignity and self reliance through their jobs,” said IRC Employment Supervisor, Courtney Cook. “They take extraordinary effort to invest in the development of their staff and foster a supportive and productive work environment.”
Rebecca Hannam, Director of Housekeeping at Wintergreen Resorts, accepted the award on behalf of the company, which has hired 34 refugees to work in its housekeeping, dining and guest services departments in recent years.
Not only does Wintergreen do a great job hiring refugees, the IRC says the resort also helps them move into more important positions.
"They are coming here to start lives on the path to American citizenship and the most important element of that is the dignity and independence that comes from being able to earn their own living," said Harriet Kuhr, Executive Director of the IRC.
Past recipients of the Employer Leadership Award include St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Monticello, the Omni Charlottesville Hotel, Farmington Country Club, the University of Virginia Center for Comparative Medicine, the Boars Head Inn, and Design Electric.
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