Students partnered with famous chefs to help prepare top-tier culinary dishes during star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief

[Hollywood, Fla] Over 100 Florida ProStart students and their teachers had the opportunity to volunteer and support Saturday night’s Taste of the NFL, a star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief the night before the Super Bowl.

Students got their own real-world taste of working a high-profile event, held at the Diplomat Beach Resort in South Florida, where they were assigned to renowned chefs to set up and prepare food, serve tasting plates and assist in cleanup. Over 30 food stations were hosted by each NFL team and featured a current NFL Player, Hall of Famer or Legend.

The students are enrolled in ProStart®, a high school career and technical education program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) focused on culinary arts and restaurant management. The program is run at the state level by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA).

“This has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Jordyn Wilson, ProStart student from Marathon High School located in the Florida Keys. Wilson worked at the Oakland Raiders table with Chef Tonya Holland, cookbook author and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, CA, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Holland has also appeared on Top Chef.

“The Taste of the NFL provided Florida’s ProStart students with an amazing opportunity to participate in an amazing event for a wonderful cause, which deepened their appreciation and excitement for the industry,” said Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation. “By the time the night was over, several students received job offers so they can continue their careers. We appreciate the opportunity to be involved and look forward to working with the Taste of the NFL on the 2021 event.” 

Participating high schools included:

1. Hialeah Gardens High School
2. John A. Ferguson Senior High School
3. Miami Sunset Senior High School
4. Nova High School
5. Coral Springs High School
6. Atlantic Technical High School
7. Martin County High School
8. Melbourne High School
9. Winter Springs High School
10. Marathon High School

 “This will be a night that I will never forget,” said Aiden Della Costa, ProStart student from Melbourne High School who worked at the New York Giants table with Chef Brenton Lee, executive chef at Tribeca Grill in New York City.

ProStart serves nearly 150,000 students across the country, and the state of Florida alone accounts for over 20 percent of those students. ProStart offers students a platform to discover new interests and talents through a curriculum that includes all facets of culinary arts and restaurant management, and sets a high standard of excellence for the industry’s next generation of leaders.

A key component of the program includes employment opportunities for students while enrolled and/or once they graduate, especially in Florida, where tourism is one of the state’s top economic drivers. Last year, restaurant and foodservice jobs accounted for 12 percent of employment across the state.

Taste of the NFL started in the Twin Cities in 1992 when Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl for the first time. Each year, the event coincides with the big game in the hosting city. Since its inception, Taste of the NFL has donated $25 million to food banks and nonprofit organizations in the 32 NFL cities.

Learn more about ProStart in Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association here.
Learn more about the Taste of the NFL and the Kick Hunger Challenge here.

There is a pervasive evil that has infiltrated our communities. It is an evil so vile that it deprives our society’s most vulnerable of their freedom, independence, and dreams.

This evil is human trafficking. It targets helpless individuals during their most desperate moments by breaking their spirit and instilling fear and shame. It is also a scourge that preys on our youth, robbing them of their childhood innocence and stripping them of their dignity. Tragically, the public is often unaware of its existence allowing it to thrive globally and creep into our nation’s backyard.

Human trafficking is the second-largest illicit industry and is the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise, earning exploiters upwards of $150 billion. Over 20 million victims are coerced into unthinkable situations that range from prostitution to drug addiction to forced labor.

With all eyes this weekend on Miami for Super Bowl LIV, this crime occurring “in the shadows” is all too real.  Sporting events of this magnitude often come with an uptick in trafficking activity and a subsequent increase in arrests.  According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 169 perpetrators were arrested as part of an FBI Operation into sex trafficking ahead of the 2019 Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

Florida has so much to offer. Beautiful beaches and bustling nightlife make our state a mecca for visitors from every corner of the globe. Unfortunately, alongside the glitz and glamour comes an ugly underworld of human trafficking.

The Sunshine State ranks number 3 in calls to the national hotline. South Florida is the third-busiest region for human trafficking, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ reports the average age of most first time victims of human trafficking range between 12 and 14. And because of location and multiple major interstate highways, international seaports and airports, Miami and Tampa are leading in trafficking incidences.

But now, for the first time ever, the Super Bowl has partnered with state and local agencies to launch a public awareness campaign to shed light on a crime that has lurked in the dark for decades. And the only way for darkness to cease to exist is to be exposed to light.  Thus, awareness must be at the forefront of eradicating human trafficking once and for all. And with increasing awareness, each day more and more victims of trafficking are breaking free from the bonds of this treacherous evil.

Take Christa Hicks for example. Raised by a drug-addicted mother, Christa, herself, was a victim of rape at the young age of 13 and found herself living on the streets during her teen years. Desperate for someone to provide solace, she fell prey to a man that would exploit her and hold her against her will for several years. She endured sexual exploitation, numerous rapes and became addicted to drugs. After being arrested and incarcerated, she participated in a life-changing program called Faith Farm.

Today, Hicks has risen out of the grips of poverty, sex trafficking, and drug addiction, to aid victims just like her. She is a certified clinical trauma professional and the Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking at One More Child, a nonprofit division of the Lakeland-based Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. Hicks and so many recovering victims epitomize strength, resilience, healing, and hope.

Florida has chosen to face this demon head-on. From supporting survivors with essential services to additional training of law enforcement and medical personnel, the state continues to push forward in its battle against trafficking in support of Christa and countless others who share her story.

Additionally, our state has engaged in valuable private sector partnerships, such as the Truckers Association, The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and UBER in order to focus on dealing with this issue in a multi-faceted manner.

The Sunshine State is also working with the Department of Health to ensure staff has the training and resources to identify and screen victims in order to get them the help they need. And furthermore, a child trafficking prevention education curriculum has been adopted in grades K-12 on prevention and awareness in a developmentally appropriate manner. All these efforts are examples of Florida’s leadership on this issue.

On Sunday, when the smoke clears, the Lombardi trophy has been awarded, the message will reverberate— Florida is closed for business as it relates to human trafficking and we will not rest until we eradicate this evil from our communities because human beings are not for sale.

Jeanette Nuñez is the first Hispanic woman Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, and a former Representative of the Florida House. She serves on the Statewide Human Trafficking Council and is a member of the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force for Super Bowl LIV

Miami Event Kicks off Human Trafficking Awareness Month with Local, National Groups, Florida Officials

(L-R: Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Carol Dover, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Executive Director Ray Martinez, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers)

[Miami, Fla] The hotel industry convened today the National Football League, national and local Florida organizations and human trafficking prevention groups to kick off a month-long series of events to raise awareness about the scourge of human trafficking which affects 40 million people around the globe. In an effort to help spot and stop traffickers who exploit the travel and tourism industry, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), convened a half-day summit with key stakeholders which included a training of hotel employees

Joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, lawmakers and leading experts, the event highlighted pivotal partnerships with law enforcement and effective tools that have been implemented to reduce the number of incidents of trafficking in hotels.

Due to an influx of visitors during large events such as the Super Bowl, increased instances of human trafficking can occur, which is why the hotel industry launched a pivotal campaign last year, No Room for Trafficking, with the goal of training every hotel employee to spot and stop trafficking. As part of this month’s awareness activities, AHLA is convening the broader travel community to help raise awareness around this critical issue.

The event featured a human trafficking prevention training session certifying at least 200 hotel employees and highlighted the launch of It’s a Penalty’s fifth global campaign, the third around the Super Bowl, to raise awareness among sports fans and the general public in an effort to educate about the signs and ways to report instances of trafficking. It’s a Penalty launched the campaign in coordination with event attendees A21, as well as the Super Bowl Host Committee, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade, the Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami Dolphins and the NFL, and in partnership with local, state and federal agencies including the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, HSI, FBI, federal and local trafficking task forces, and over 300 local community partner organizations.

 “Human trafficking is a deplorable crime that damages and destroys millions of lives. Because of this, the hotel industry is committed to helping lead the way in bringing it to an end. Our goal is to ultimately have every hotel employee in the United States trained on how to spot and stop trafficking,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “We believe it is critical to convene our entire industry around a united approach to combat human trafficking and build partnerships with law enforcement officers and leaders in the prevention space, such as Attorney General Ashley Moody and leading prevention partners like It’s a Penalty and A21. While there is still much more to do, we believe our shared commitment to training and education will continue to make a difference.”

Already each year, thousands of hotel employees are trained on how to spot and stop trafficking. With the launch of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking campaign and AAHOA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training, the hotel industry is continuing its strong record by convening the entire industry around the goal of training every hotel worker.

 Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Human trafficking dehumanizes victims and deteriorates our society. It is vital that we utilize partnerships across all levels of government and industry to end this atrocious crime. That is why I am proud to support Florida’s hotel industry and prevention partners ahead of Super Bowl LIV as we unite efforts around our shared goal of ending human trafficking. I strongly encourage all service industries to train their employees to spot and report these crimes. Working together we can end trafficking in Florida and build a stronger safer Florida.”

“We’re so proud to launch our Super Bowl campaign in Miami in partnership with hotel industry leaders, the Attorney General and Florida lawmakers. By harnessing the power of sport to prevent exploitation, we will comprehensively address trafficking by raising awareness, educating the public and training employees,” said Sarah de Carvalho, CEO It’s a Penalty Campaign. 

 “Florida’s hospitality industry is second to none and, therefore, is an incredibly vulnerable target for human trafficking,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are committed to stopping this horrible crime, and we are proud of our efforts to equip our hospitality team members. Engaging and empowering those on the forefront to recognize and expose traffickers is essential to this fight. We will continue our efforts with local, state, and national partners to ensure safety throughout our industry.”

“A hotel’s front desk can be the first line of defense when it comes to saving lives and keeping human traffickers out of our communities. That’s why America’s hotel owners are committed partners in the fight against trafficking. Through education and awareness initiatives, we are working to ensure that every hotel owner and their employees are trained to identify and respond to instances of human trafficking,” said AAHOA President and CEO Cecil Staton.

“This campaign will shed light on the severity of this issue, both here in Florida and across the country, and will allow thousands to learn the signs of human trafficking.  We are proud to partner with the hotel industry here ahead of the Super Bowl in this critical effort,” said Mollie Thorsen, U.S. Director of Advocacy, A21. 

Throughout National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, AHLA will continue efforts to raise public awareness and facilitate collaboration with policymakers, law enforcement and hoteliers on best practices for policies, procedures and training to enhance our human trafficking prevention efforts. January’s activities will be the first of many during this year’s No Room for Trafficking push. Looking further into 2020, AHLA will be highlighting the industry’s on-going efforts with targeted events across the country including Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, Delaware, California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, West Virginia and more. We will also be working with key states to advance legislation at the state level and continuing to provide our members and industry with on-going support and resources. We will continue to grow and enhance the industry’s efforts with partnerships and member engagement.

Attorney General Moody, Florida Lawmakers, Miami Dolphins and the NFL, National Organizations and Local Partners participate as part of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking Campaign

[Miami, Fla] On Thursday, January 9, hotel industry officials, lawmakers, local partners and leading experts are joining forces ahead of Super Bowl LIV to rally against human trafficking. Large events, such as the Super Bowl, can create opportunities for instances of human trafficking due to an influx of visitors, and the hotel industry is tackling this through the No Room for Trafficking Campaign and support of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This half-day summit aims to spotlight what can be done to spot and stop traffickers in Florida.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), is convening Attorney General Ashley Moody, state lawmakers, local hoteliers, and human trafficking prevention organizations It’s a Penalty and A21 to expand on nationwide efforts. The event will include a human trafficking prevention training session for hotel employees at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

The event will also include an official launch and overview of the It’s A Penalty campaign in partnership with Miami Super Bowl Host Committee and with support from AHLA, FRLA, A21, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade, the Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami Dolphins and the NFL. The campaign is also in partnership with local, state and federal agencies including the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, HSI, FBI, federal and local trafficking task forces, and over 300 local community partner organizations.

The state officials and lawmakers will also participate in a human trafficking prevention training session with local hotel employees at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The hotel industry has long recognized the critical role it plays in ending the scourge of human trafficking, and through innovative techniques and employee training is building upon current efforts ahead of the Super Bowl to ensure all employees are trained in identifying, reporting and stopping instances of human trafficking.

Already each year, thousands of hotel employees are trained on how to identify and stop trafficking. With the launch of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking campaign and AAHOA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training, the hotel industry builds on its strong record by convening the entire industry around the goal of training every hotel worker.

Visit here for more information on the No Room for Trafficking regional event.

[Tallahassee, Fla] Florida ProStart raised $138,781.94 on Oct. 17 in partnership with Whole Foods Market Florida stores. As part of the grocer’s quarterly Community Giving Day, 5% of the day’s net sales were donated to Florida ProStart to better serve high school students in the vicinity of Whole Foods Market stores statewide by furthering their education and training in the foodservice industry.

“This donation from Whole Foods Markets will have a tremendous impact on Florida ProStart students as it will allow us to offer over 50 more scholarships in the Sunshine State,” said Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF). “Florida ProStart is in 238 schools around the state, helping high school students get a solid start in an incredible industry filled with opportunity for advancement. We look forward to finding more ways to partner with Whole Foods Markets as we continue to promote hospitality education in Florida.”

Whole Foods Markets hosts several Community Giving Days per year, offering customers the opportunity to make a difference through their regular grocery shopping. Florida ProStart was chosen as the third quarter nonprofit in August of this year, and 29 Whole Foods Market stores around Florida participated in the event. Money raised through the October Community Giving Day will be used to bolster ProStart scholarships as well as for ProStart kitchen grants.

Each year, FRLAEF gives out more than $40,000 in scholarships and awards $80,000 in mini grants to schools throughout the state. Additionally, one school is selected each year to receive a $50,000 kitchen remodel, and the 2019-2020 grant was awarded to Coral Shores High School last month.

[Clearwater, Fla] Last Wednesday, Oct. 9, over 160 people gathered at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach for the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (FRLA) inaugural ROSE Awards. The ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards honor hospitality industry employees in the region dedicated to excellent customer service. Area hotels, vacation rentals and restaurants nominated 33 individuals from Pinellas County to acknowledge those making a difference in the local hospitality community. Last week’s winners each received a bouquet of a dozen roses, an award pin, certificate and a crystal award.

“These incredible men and women represent just a small fraction of the outstanding hospitality employees in the Tampa Bay area,” said Eric Waltz, General Manager of the Sandpearl Resort and ROSE Award Chairman. “Our region’s hospitality workers are what make the biggest difference and keep guests coming back. We are thrilled to be able to honor them and their hard work.”

The 2019 ROSE Award winners are are:

Lina Gomez, Retail Attendant at the Don Cesar Hotel
David Kent, Activities Beach & Pool Attendant at the Sandpearl Resort
Michael Kilmer, Housekeeping: Window Cleaner at the Opal Sands Resort
Amy Scott, Opening Server at Village Inn Restaurant
Danielle Wainwright, Sales System Administrator at the Hyatt Clearwater Beach

For more information about the ROSE Awards, contact FRLA Pinellas Chapter Regional Director, Dannette Lynch at 727-642-3404 or [email protected].