United Airlines Donates $1M To Nonprofits In Newark, Elizabeth

NEWARK, NJ — A pair of New Jersey nonprofits with track records of success in their communities of Elizabeth and Newark will get a big boost from United Airlines, which announced a $1 million grant to be split between the groups on Wednesday.

According to United Airlines, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Urban League of Essex County will each receive a $500,000 grant, which is part of an $8 million series of awards that the airline is creating in its “domestic hub markets.”

The two Garden State organizations were selected to honor their work within the local communities that surround Newark Liberty International Airport and their “dedication to vital workforce development programs giving people opportunities for the future,” United stated.

As of 2016, United Airlines maintained 902 slots at Newark Airport – or 73 percent - more than 10 times greater than those of any other airline.

At the Community FoodBank, which serves the city of Elizabeth and neighboring counties, the grant will support the Food Service Training Academy (FSTA), a 15-week culinary program which provides the skills and training necessary for an entry-level job in the food-service industry. The FSTA is open to low-income people who are facing obstacles to employment, including formerly incarcerated individuals seeking re-entry, people in recovery from substance use disorders and women re-entering the workforce.

• See related article: Nonprofit Helps Ex-Inmates In New Jersey Find Jobs, Stay Out Of Jail

"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,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO, Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

At the Urban League of Essex County, the donation will support the development and improvement of a new “soft skills program” for residents within the city of Newark to support the “Newark 2020 Hire. Buy. Live.” initiative. The Urban League supports disadvantaged urban residents through programs that drive sustainable social and economic self-sufficiency.

“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, President and CEO, 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."

“United Airlines has been a major source of our economic strength in Newark, as well as an important employer of Newark residents,” Mayor Ras Baraka said. “Now it is showing us that it is also a corporate good neighbor by supporting three major regional nonprofits and their work to provide Newark residents with the tools they need to build productive, independent, prosperous lives. When we strengthen Newark residents individually, we strengthen our city entirely.”

United also announced a $1 million grant for Year Up New York to help support the organization in its efforts to scale the program in New York City and create a pilot software development track, which will include data analytics, software development, and an increased focus on cyber security.

Other grants were made at United’s other hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

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