City Colleges of Chicago’s Harold Washington College Announces
New Hospitality Bridge Program

Contact: Elsa Tullos
312.553.3384
312.287.1201

A public / private partnership including the hotel, retail and restaurant industries.

Chicago, IL (October 24, 2007) – Harold Washington College’s (HWC) Hospitality Bridge Program is an exciting new public / private partnership between the college and the hospitality and retail industries. The program will prepare Chicagoans for entry-level employment in the hotel, restaurant and retail industries.

The contextual learning environment’s design and construction costs were underwritten by launch partners, THOR EQUITIES and its Palmer House Hilton, Macy’s, and the Illinois Restaurant Association. The Joyce Foundation and the Chicago Housing Authority also played key roles in identifying students and funding the pilot program.

The training facility – designed to simulate an elegant hotel environment, a retail operation and a casual dining restaurant - is located at City Colleges of Chicago’s district office – 226 W. Jackson Blvd., 6th floor.

“City Colleges is very gratified to be partnering with the Harold Washington College’s Hospitality Bridge Program launch partners. Their support has been critical to the program becoming a reality,” states CCC Chancellor Wayne D. Watson.

Top city officials and representatives from THOR EQUITIES, the Palmer House Hilton, Macy’s, the Illinois Restaurant Association, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Workforce Board and the Chicago land Chamber of Commerce join City Colleges of Chicago’s leadership today for the announcement of this public / private partnership.

“Being a sponsor in the Hospitality Bridge Program is another demonstration of our company’s commitment to supporting Chicago by expanding career opportunities for students of Chicago, “ according to Mary Ann Cronin, Director of Development THOR EQUITIES. “We are proud to be a part of this program.”

Upon completion of the 12-week Hospitality Bridge Program, students will have earned five industry certificates and a total of eight college credits toward a two-year degree in Hospitality Management in the Harold Washington College AAS degree program.

“Macy’s is honored to partner with the City Colleges of Chicago and Harold Washington College by providing resources, training and mentorship to aid the growth of the students,” said Ralph Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Communications of Macy’s.  “We are delighted to empower these students with the tools that they need to succeed in the business of retail.”

The announcement of this public/private partnership is to serve as a call to action for additional corporate support and utilization of this important resource.  All hospitality, retail and tourism stakeholders will benefit from the trained and certified talent pool that will come from the program.

“This program makes so much sense. It clearly is a move to help our city have a better, well trained workforce which is important to businesses – even industries – considering Chicago as a new site,” according to J. Peter Lynn, General Manager of the Palmer House Hilton. “Chicago cannot afford not to have the Hospitality Bridge Program.”

The five professional certifications the program includes are:

• American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute START certificate
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ServSafe Food Service Sanitation Managers certificate
• Illinois Department of Public Health Food Service Sanitation Managers License
• City of Chicago’s Food Service Sanitation Managers License
• National Retail Federation Customer Service in Retail certificate

Students with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for the program. Students who do not have a diploma or GED may obtain the degree while in the program. For further information regarding the program contact Brian J. Hill, Ph.D. or Sharon Bryant at 312.553.3309.

The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Community College District 508, is a system of seven independently accredited colleges. CCC provides four essential services. They are: Liberal Arts Education (associate degrees and certificates); Occupational Education (workforce training); Adult Education (General Educational Development, English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education); and Continuing Education (programs that add value to the quality of life).

City Colleges of Chicago, District 508, includes Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S. Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College. WYCC-TV Channel 20, a public broadcast station, is also part of the City Colleges system. For more information about the City Colleges of Chicago call (773) COLLEGE or visit www.ccc.edu.