Social responsibility

$250.000 Grant from Hilton Global Foundation to Türkiye Down Syndrome Association

Hilton Global Foundation provided a $250.000 grant to TDSD (Turkish Down Syndrome Association) to support the inclusive employment and education efforts of the hospitality industry in Turkey, with the aim of benefiting individuals with Down syndrome and their families, as well as industry employees and university students.

It was published

5 months ago

December 16 2024

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

The Turkish Down Syndrome Association, which aims to increase public awareness of Down syndrome and strengthen the place of individuals with Down syndrome in society, has won a grant totaling 250 thousand USD from the Hilton Global Foundation. This grant will support the “Service Sector Career Development Project”, which will enable individuals with Down syndrome or mental disabilities to gain basic skills and actively participate in Turkey’s accommodation and service sector. The project, which will include 9 cafes and restaurants as well as 15 Hilton hotels, will also provide training and support to accommodation and service sector employees, university students and families of individuals with disabilities, thus benefiting them as well.

The Service Sector Career Development Project will pioneer the employment of individuals with Down syndrome or other mental disabilities in 9 different service businesses, such as cafes and restaurants, in addition to 15 Hilton hotels. A team member from each Hilton hotel will receive special training to become a job coach and will provide guidance to ensure that individuals integrate smoothly into the workplace. In cafes and restaurants, this role will be carried out by senior university students trained as job coaches under the guidance of TDSD experts. In addition, 1500 people working in businesses participating in the project will also receive awareness training on effective communication and collaboration in order to increase inclusivity in the sector.

As part of the project, the necessary support will also be provided to the families of individuals employed through this program. During this process, families who will receive training to learn how to better support their relatives in business life will have a more comprehensive approach to adapting to social and business life. This comprehensive project aims to provide permanent change in society by empowering individuals with mental disabilities as well as empowering their relatives who support them.

This project, which is a continuation of the strong and long-term collaboration between TDSD and Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center that began in 2014, has provided significant job opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome with the participation of two more Hilton hotels, and has also enabled the implementation of many studies that support their integration into society and independent living over the years.

E. Gün Bilgin, President of the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, “We continue our work to increase public awareness of Down syndrome in Turkey and to support individuals with Down syndrome in establishing a free and independent life. As the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, we have been increasing the visibility of individuals with Down syndrome and are happy to open brand new doors for them with this meaningful support that Hilton Hotels in Turkey, especially Hilton Istanbul Bomonti, have been providing for the last 10 years. Now, we are moving to a whole new level. The grant support provided by the Hilton Global Foundation will provide us with opportunities to conduct studies that will not only expand employment opportunities but also change the perception of disability in Turkey. We will continue our projects to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, give hope to their families and raise awareness in society.”

David Kelly, Senior Vice President, Hilton Europe, “At Hilton, we believe that travel can be a force for good, and inclusion is at the core of that mission. We are proud to have worked with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association for over 10 years to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome, create greater understanding in our hotels, and be more inclusive. This grant from the Hilton Global Foundation represents a new step in taking our work to the next level to provide meaningful opportunities and create a positive impact in communities in Turkey.”

The cafés, restaurants and Hilton hotels within the scope of the project will be part of the “Valueable Network”, a European initiative that brings together companies that act with social responsibility in the service sector. This membership demonstrates the commitment of the participating institutions to more inclusive employment and also provides the opportunity to share experiences with similar organizations at an international level.

Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, the first hotel to collaborate with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, has pioneered the spread of employment opportunities and awareness initiatives in other Hilton hotels in Turkey. Over the years, Hilton Istanbul Bomonti has supported the Dans+11 by Hilton Istanbul Bomonti dance group, which was formed in collaboration with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association and consists of 1 young dancers with Down syndrome, as the main sponsor, as well as participating in the Istanbul Marathon, supporting awareness campaigns and undertaking projects that create employment opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

About the Turkish Down Syndrome Association

The Turkish Down Syndrome Association is a non-governmental organization that closely follows current developments in the world and in Turkey regarding Down syndrome, and works continuously to promote Down syndrome and increase public awareness. Our association supports families and experts across the country, and aims to work in collaboration with all institutions by providing guidance on how to reach local support organizations. Our mission is to combat the discrimination that individuals with Down syndrome face at all ages and positions from infancy onwards, to provide equal opportunities and to strengthen their indispensable place in society by carrying out projects that affect society’s perception of disability.

About Hilton Global Foundation

The Hilton Global Foundation is Hilton’s main international philanthropic arm. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the United States and has a 501(c)3 charitable status. The Foundation is Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 goals The foundation provides grant programs that create positive impacts on travel destinations around the world. Foundation grants are awarded throughout the year in accordance with tax and legal requirements. Learn more about the Hilton Global Foundation HiltonGlobalFoundation.hilton.com You can visit.

Source: HORECA TREND and Hilton Global Foundation

Related Tags:David Kelly E. Gun Bilgin Hilton Global Foundation Turkish Down Syndrome Association

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Divan Receives “Barrier-Free Employment” Award

Drawing attention with its work supporting the participation of disabled individuals in business life, Divan was honored with a plaque of appreciation for its exemplary practices in the field of Accommodation and Food Services Activities within the scope of the cooperation carried out with the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR). Minister of Labor and Social Security Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan presented the award to Divan General Manager Murat Tomruk.

It was published

3 days ago

May 20 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

For its contribution to the participation of disabled individuals in the workforce Divan, was deemed worthy of the “Barrier-Free Employment” award. The award was given by İŞKUR in the Accommodation and Food Services Activities category. The award was presented to Divan General Manager Murat Tomruk by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, for İŞKUR’s achievement of disabled employment targets in a short time and its inclusive practices in this field.

Expressing his views on the award Divan General Manager Murat Tomruk“We are proud to be deemed worthy of the Barrier-Free Employment Award by İŞKUR with our practices that support the participation of disabled individuals in business life. Our efforts to increase the employment rate of disabled individuals by contributing to the integration of disabled individuals into society and the fact that every individual can be a disabled candidate are among the reasons why we were deemed worthy of the award. This meaningful award inspires us to further develop our principle of equal opportunities, inclusive employment approach and understanding of social responsibility. As an indicator of our commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and the right to equal access to work, we continue our work with İŞKUR with determination for an accessible, sustainable and inclusive workforce structure.”

The award is given to exemplary institutions that not only meet numerical targets but also ensure the integration of individuals with disabilities into society, include them in business life and manage this process with a humane approach.

Source: HORECA TREND and Divan

A Solidarity Project from Cookshop on Mother's Day: "Mother's Meatballs"

Cookshop is transforming the “Mother’s Meatballs”, which was offered in its first menu and has an important place in its brand journey, into a social solidarity model with a special project. The “Mother’s Meatballs” menu, which will be offered in all Cookshops every year on Mother’s Day, will contribute to the future of the girls supported by the Koruncuk Foundation.

It was published

2 weeks ago

May 9 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

Cookshop, one of Türkiye's popular restaurant chains, is transforming its brand journey, which started with "Mother's Meatballs" in its first branch, into a social benefit-oriented project. Cookshop, “Mother’s Meatballs“ project, it brings to life a social benefit project that appeals to both taste and emotions through a menu specially prepared for Mother’s Day. The brand offers an exemplary responsibility model by transforming that familiar taste that has a place in everyone’s childhood memories into social benefit.

Every “Mother’s Meatball” is a Hopeful Future for Children

Within the scope of the project, “Mother’s Meatballs”, which was offered in Cookshop’s first menu, is being added to the menus again for Mother’s Day. Starting from this year, the “Mother’s Day Menu” consisting of mother’s meatballs, mother’s pasta and magnolia, which will be served every year throughout May, will meet consumers in all branches of the chain. Within the scope of the project, contributions will be made to the Koruncuk Foundation (Turkish Foundation for Children in Need of Protection) and support will be provided for a hopeful future for girls.

Sample Solidarity Model

Cookshop Founder and Chairman of the Board Ayşe Kazancı"Mom's meatballs are a recipe that reminds us of our childhood, and beyond the emotion, they have a special meaning that tells the story of our brand's founding journey. We are not only bringing "Mom's Meatballs", which carry love, patience and childhood memories in every bite, back to our menus, but also offering a solidarity model that directly touches the lives of children. With the Mom's Meatballs menu that will be available in our restaurants throughout May, we aim to support the Koruncuk Foundation together with our guests and make a meaningful contribution to the future of children. We wholeheartedly believe that we will grow social benefits together," he said.

Deniz Ceylan Kılıçlıoğlu, Board Member of Koruncuk Foundation evaluated this collaboration with the following words: “We all want to go back to our childhood, to the warmth of our mothers’ table from time to time. Cookshop’s “Mother’s Meatballs” menu, which symbolizes the love and effort of our mothers, relives that feeling while also contributing to the freer, stronger future of the girls we support in Koruncukköy. I wholeheartedly thank the Cookshop family for their meaningful contributions.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Cookshop

April 23 Enthusiasm Crowned with Solidarity in Hatay!

Eksun Gıda, one of Türkiye’s leading flour producers, provided 5 tons of flour support to Gönül Mutfağı, which operates in Hatay İskenderun, one of the provinces most affected by the earthquake. Eksun Gıda’s contribution supported the “Gönül Mutfağı Sets the Tables of the Future” project of Gönül Mutfağı Soup Kitchen, which is led by Social Gastronomy Chef Ebru Baybara Demir, and covers primary schools in the region.

It was published

1 months ago

April 23 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

In Hatay Iskenderun, which was deeply affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the spirit of cooperation and solidarity continues to grow on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. In this context, Eksun Gıda, known for its Sinangil brand, a popular brand in the flour market and standing out with its works that add value to society, provided 5 tons of flour support to Gönül Mutfağı to meet the bread needs for lunches distributed to primary school children. Thanks to the shipment that set off from Eksun Gıda's Konya factory, the flour needs of the "Gönül Mutfağı Sets the Tables of the Future" project covering 12 primary schools in Hatay and Iskenderun were met.

Sinangil Support for Gonul Mutfağı

Gönül Mutfağı has been continuing its work, primarily distributing hot meals, with the support of volunteers since February 6, 2024-2025 The project, “The Heart Kitchen Sets the Tables of the Future”, includes the furnishing of dining halls in primary schools and the preparation of lunches for children in the academic year. The project is being implemented with the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of National Education, Hatay Provincial Directorate of National Education, İskenderun District Directorate of National Education, İskenderun District Governorship.

The Gonul Mutfağı is Setting Up the Tables of the Future project reaches 12 primary schools and 3300 students daily. The support provided by Eksun Gıda through Sinangil Un is used for the daily bread needs of children.

Source: HORECA TREND and Eksun Food