| Thursday, 21 May 2009 | |
JHI graduates uplifted, optimistic Down a long, quiet hall at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Jacksonville was a banquet room full of life and celebration. "This is a new chapter in my life, and it's a good chapter," said Alphonso Williams, a graduate of the Jacksonville Hospitality Institute (JHI). Proud friends, family, FreshMinistries staff and special guests gathered with JHI graduates Tuesday night to celebrate their completion of a 9-week job training program for work in the hospitality industry. JHI, a FreshMinistries initiative, provides free hospitality training in the areas of front desk service, food service and safety, housekeeping, as well as "life skills" on topics such as money management, manners and interview techniques. "I'm leaving here with more than just training and a job," said Prayer Bynum-Williams. "I'm leaving with manners, love and loving myself!" "This is a really special night for these graduates," said the Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee, chairman and founder of FreshMinistries. "They've worked so hard and learned so many new things -- it's a huge accomplishment. And, for many, it'll mark a major turning point in their lives."  But although the night was focused on the graduates and their accomplishment, much (deserved) attention was given to JHI's instructors, with names like "Mom," "Dad" and "Uncle" attached to Darlene Yarborough, Bob Burr and Don Miller, respectively.Positive words also came from Dan King, president of the North Florida Hotel and Lodging Assocation, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Jacksonville and the newly-elected chair of JHI's board of trustees. In the end, the graduates were the main focus, and were able to share their gratitude to everyone in the room after receiving their diplomas. "Sometimes you just want to give up; I'd never finished anything in my life," said Charles Starke. "Now I can hold my head up high." UPDATE: Each student attended a 2-week internship at a local business in the hospitality industry. Nearly all received excellent reviews and many were offered jobs, despite current economic conditions.            |
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