United Airlines announced Wednesday a $2 million grant to be split between the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Urban League of Essex County and Year Up New York.
The three organizations, United said, were picked for their work in the local communities that surround Newark Liberty International Airport and “their dedication to vital workforce development programs giving people opportunities for the future.”
“We are thrilled to be able to provide support to multiple New York and New Jersey communities to help individuals build their professional and personal development job skills,” said Jill Kaplan, president, New York/New Jersey for United Airlines. “The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Urban League of Essex County and Year Up New York align to our core values as a company and the grants will provide new opportunities for each organization to further promote their missions.”
United contributed $500,000 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which serves the city of Elizabeth and surrounding counties, with support from the Food Service Training Academy.
“The Food Service Training Academy exemplifies the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s commitment to addressing poverty, the root cause of hunger, by providing graduates with marketable job skills that can lead to a living wage,” said Carlos Rodriguez, CEO and president, Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “United’s generous contribution will sponsor the recruitment and education of incoming FSTA students to help break the cycle of poverty for dozens of Elizabeth residents.”
United also contributed $500,000 to Urban League of Essex County to support the development and improvement of a new soft skills program for residents in Newark to support the Newark 2020 Hire. Buy. Live. initiative.
“The Urban League of Essex County’s mission is to help families achieve economic self-sufficiency and we are very grateful for the generous grant from United Airlines to help families secure meaningful employment and manage their finances and build assets,” said Vivian Cox Fraser, CEO and president, Urban League of Essex County. “The grant will allow the Urban League to provide integrated services to families that will ensure longer term success. When we help people develop the skills they need to compete for living-wage jobs, we are creating opportunities to increase economic vitality of our communities.”
Lastly, $1 million went to Year Up New York to support programs in New York City.
