Humanim Partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore Achieves Solid Success

Since August 2012, Humanim has served as the principal workforce development partner for the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore (www.fourseasons.com/baltimore/).  In this capacity, Humanim has worked to coordinate an initiative that identifies city residents for skilled positions at the hotel.  This process has included a series of open candidate screening opportunities, as well as direct outreach to other workforce development and community-based non-profit organizations.  More recently, Humanim’s work with the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore has expanded to include the Baltimore Elite Service Training/Customer Service Academy. This six week training program provides participants with a nationally recognized customer service certification.  Commercial partners on both aspects of this initiative are the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore and Harbor East Development, LLC.

Management at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore has noted that this partnership has been an effective tool in addressing staffing needs at the hotel.  Camille Perry, Assistant Human Resources Director indicated that “since the conception of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, we have worked closely with Humanim on our staffing needs. The Humanim team invests their time and energy into building people up, creating resources for candidates, and has benevolent concern for the success of any of their participants in the Humanim program.”

One example of the type of exceptional employee that has been identified through Humanim’s recruitment for the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore is Michael Boone.  According to some of his co-workers, since the day Michael joined the team, he has exceeded expectations.  His approachable demeanor – coupled with his warm smile – has made Michael a favorite among the team and guests.  On top of his personality, supervisors report that his work ethic is second to none.  Since starting at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, Michael Boone was recognized as the Employee of the Month for November 2012.  Most recently, Michael was the recipient of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore’s Employee of the Year Award for 2012.

Fellow co-worker David Smith (Housekeeping Coordinator) says, “When you call Michael you can be sure that the  request will be completed.  No matter how busy he may be he will get the job done and that gives everyone piece of mind so that other matters can be attended to.”  Michael’s supervisor, Sam Everett shares this sentiment.  “Michael is an excellent representative of Four Seasons brand, always coming to work with a smile on his face and eager to assist both guests and colleagues in any way he can.”

Humanim’s work with the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore and Harbor East Development has also offered benefits to other Baltimore-based workforce development organizations, such as the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), the International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Social Services, and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake.  Glynnis Gladden, a member of the workforce team at CFUF noted that her organization “appreciates the opportunity to work in partnership with Humanim, Harbor East, and the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore.  Humanim’s willingness to screen, interview, give feedback, and make quality referrals to Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore has proven very beneficial to several of CFUF job seekers such as Michael Boone.  I look forward to our ongoing partnership and community service.”

Tim O’Donald, President of Harbor East Management Group stated, “Harbor East is honored to be a continuing contributing member to the success of Baltimore City and the citizens of our surrounding neighborhoods.  We take pride in our endeavors with Humanim and the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore and look forward to partnering in more stewardship and success stories.”