Teach Them How to Fish

2019 ORLAEF ProStart Invitational

Rewarding Opportunities That Support Our Industry, Workforce

“Little did I know my culinary arts elective teacher... would be responsible for my graduating high school with honors, signing with my Division 1 dream team and being the first in my family to attend a four-year university…” - South Salem ProStart Student, Teacher Nomination 2019

​Philanthropy takes many forms. Sometimes you can easily see the impact of giving, like when someone who was cold walks away with a smile and a bit more energy after putting on a donated coat. Sometimes, however, you never really know how your actions and engagement may have a positive influence on someone, perhaps for a lifetime. 

Students who lack confidence and/or direction, as well as adults with socio-economic challenges seeking tools to help them become more self-dependent and stable, often thrive when positive role models and experiential learning are integrated with school and training programs. Interactions and reinforcements can also result in employment recruitment opportunities. When that happens with an industry partner who engages with our programs it represents the perfect wrap-around to the ORLA Education Foundation’s mission.

Why Do You Support ORLAEF’s Work?

• “I have been observing and participating with ProStart for well over a decade… and found that (that it is)… highly effective in early engagement, compressed learning modules, and increasing student interest in pursuit of food service careers.” Cory Schreiber, Culinary Consultant, Sysco Portland
• “I believe that it is important for our industry to support these students through sponsorship in order to help our industry grow through future generations.” Ryan McPhail, COO, Curtis Restaurant Equipment
• “My most memorable experience was to partner with ORALEF to present a complimentary Guest Service Gold class to the community of Cascade Locks to assist them in their economic recovery after the devastating 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.” Paul Paz, WaitersWorld
• “Guiding the drive and talent of our future workforce is something I don’t think twice about being involved in …not only rewarding, but I am blown away by their levels of execution and innovation at such a young age.” Seth Gruschow, Owner, Togather Restaurant Consultants
• “I’m excited to volunteer with ORLAEF’s board because hospitality really is one of the last, truly upwardly mobile industries in our increasingly divided and polarized country… hospitality is awash with stories of exec chefs who started as dishwashers and general managers who started by parking cars or serving banquets.” Alex Thompson, Area Director of People and Culture, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
• “ProStart has become a value and priority for me. The students have fresh ideas, hope and energy that they bring to the hospitality industry. They want mentoring and experience that we can give. I found a renewed excitement of the younger generation, a feeling of wanting to give more.” Treva Gambs, Owner, Gamberetti’s
• “When we share our time, experience, and energy to help others succeed, we can exponentially multiply ‘the good’… it is rewarding to help students gain self-confidence and professional skills.” Michael Chamberlain-Torres, Hospitality Recruiter, Gecko Hospitality
• “Thank you for always being there and for supporting us through this whole journey. Because of you, we made it to (ProStart) nationals; we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! We appreciate so much all of the positive vibes and reinforcement.” Bend High School Students, ORLAEF ProStart Invitational State Winners’ Letter to Wendy Popkin, ORLAEF

How Can You Get Involved?

1. Be Guest Speaker in a Classroom- Share your career, how you entered the industry, what helped you get ahead, what skills your position requires, and why you value your role in hospitality/culinary, and/or provide a demonstration.
2. Host a Field Trip- Invite a ProStart class to tour your operation to give students a better view of how your business operates and the job opportunities your type of organization offers.
3. Donate Money- ORLAEF is a 501c3 nonprofit and relies heavily on sponsorships and donations for our operational funds.
4. Adopt a School- Become an active partner with a local school in your community and make a financial donation that supports both ORLAEF and the school’s needs.
5. Use and Promote Our Industry Accredited Certifications and Training Programs- such as Certified Guest Service 
Professional (OregonGuestService.com), stackable credentials (AHLEI.org/certifications) and the new ServSuccess credentials (ServSuccess.com).
6. Assist with the 2020 ORLAEF ProStart Invitational (OregonRLA.org/Invitational)- Support the students’ capstone projects by judging, volunteering to help with the event, and/or donating prizes.
7. Create a Scholarship- Teachers as well as students often lack funds to support their continuing education needs.
8. Donate Product- Many culinary programs are forced to limit the scope of hands-on experience for students because of the cost of food and/or the lack of commercial equipment. 
9. Represent the Industry at a Career Fair- There are many middle school, high school, and social service opportunities to showcase our industry’s workforce opportunities.
10. Volunteer to Serve on a School District or Community Workforce Board- “The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease” and hospitality is chronically underrepresented in the decision-making process about the industries that receive attention and funding for public education classes and workforce training programs.

“Philanthropy means the love of humanity. A conventional modern definition is, ‘private initiatives, for the public good, focusing on quality of life.’ Philanthropy has distinguishing characteristics separate from charity; A difference commonly cited is that charity aims to relieve the pain of a particular social problem, whereas philanthropy attempts to address the root cause of the problem—the difference between the proverbial gift of a fish to a hungry person, versus teaching them how to fish.” - Wikipedia

Please join us in our efforts to teach others how to fish, via supporting your foundation’s programs that aim to provide opportunities for rewarding jobs that help individuals create stable and fulfilling lives. Contact me via email
 or 971.224.1105. | Wendy Popkin, ORLAEF

About 
Wendy Popkin is the Executive Director for ORLA’s Education Foundation (ORLAEF), a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting the educational and training needs of the hospitality industry. Wendy is a 30+-year career veteran who describes herself as “fanatically enthusiastic about helping others enjoy the same type of fabulous career opportunities I have enjoyed in the hospitality industry.”
 OregonRLA.org/EdFoundation

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