Carnival-Foundation-Brochure-2018
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STEERING TOWARD A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Carnival Foundation is dedicated to creating positive change through empowering youth, enhancing education and strengthening families in the communities where we live and work. We believe that being a member of a community means giving something back. Carnival Foundation supports a broad spectrum of organizations that positively impact thousands of youth and families each year through charitable giving, in-kind donations and volunteerism. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter From The Executive Director 4 Carnival Foundation - 25 Years And Counting 5 Making Ripples Of Change, Year After Year 6 Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program 8 Key Initiatives & Programs 12 Grant Recipients Arts & Culture 18 Education 20 Human & Social Needs 22 Health & Human Services 24 Testimonials 26 Volunteerism 28 Disaster Relief 31 3 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR It’s hard to believe it has been more than a quarter-century since Carnival Foundation was created to be the instrument of Carnival Corporation’s philanthropic efforts. During that time, we have been continually guided by the late Ted Arison’s founding principle that a company is not successful until it becomes a good corporate citizen and gives back to its community. In the case of Carnival Corporation and its global cruise brands, it is not one community but many, located in Miami, around the United States, throughout the Caribbean and beyond. As Carnival Cruise Line grew into Carnival Corporation, Carnival Foundation’s reach also has expanded. Looking back, we have much to be proud of. We share many of the Foundation’s projects and initiatives in this brochure, which celebrates the thousands of lives touched and changed by Carnival Corporation and its employees over the years. Looking ahead, we share our vision for the future as we strive to build a lasting legacy of making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work, through empowering youth, enhancing education and strengthening families. Both the past and the future of Carnival Foundation are founded on the strength of our partnerships with the organizations and institutions with whom we work. We’re taking this opportunity to thank them for helping us “make waves that matter.” Linda Coll Executive Director Carnival Foundation 4 CARNIVAL FOUNDATION 25 YEARS AND COUNTING Keeping the Voyage Close to Heart Through monetary and in-kind donations, innovative philanthropic programs, employee fundraisers and hands-on volunteer initiatives, Carnival Foundation and the brands of Carnival Corporation support a variety of organizations. From providing meals to the homeless to working toward medical advancement and education, the reach of Carnival Foundation is all-encompassing. During times of crisis, Carnival Foundation works closely with national and international relief organizations, coordinating corporate and employee donations for emergencies, such as hurricanes in the U.S. and in the Caribbean. Following the example set forth by Carnival’s founder, the late Ted Arison, and continued by his son Micky Arison, Carnival Foundation endeavors to make South Florida and other communities better places to live and work. 5 MAKING RIPPLES OF CHANGE, YEAR AFTER YEAR 6 7 CARNIVAL SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORING PROGRAM Guided by Compassion In 2007, Carnival Foundation launched an in-the-workplace mentoring program, pairing high school students with Carnival employee volunteers. Those chosen are either referred by a community partner or are graduates of the HEAT Academy — an after-school academic enrichment program sponsored by Carnival and offered at three at-risk Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Students who meet the program’s middle school grade criteria are invited to participate in the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program all four years of their high school education. Currently, 110 Carnival management team members serve as mentors to 110 high school students in Miami-Dade County. During the school year, participants visit Carnival’s headquarters once a month to shadow and observe their mentors in an office environment. Students are also encouraged to attend group activities and presentations designed to assist with college preparedness, financial literacy, life skills and more. In their senior year, students can apply for one of 15 college scholarships purchased annually by Carnival Foundation from Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Carnival scholarships are awarded to students based on academic merit, leadership skills, community involvement and future potential. Since 2003, Carnival has purchased 240 scholarships valued at more than $3.5 million, and has awarded 135 to mentoring program students. Graduates of the program have pursued or are currently pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees. With many graduates giving back and becoming mentors themselves, the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program has left a lasting impact on the lives of many who have participated throughout the years. 8 CARNIVAL SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORING PROGRAM Guided by Compassion “I’ve been in the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program nearly 10 years. For me, it’s about giving back and making a difference. I had a tumultuous childhood, and it took one person in my life to say: I think he can do better; I’ll take responsibility for him. Because of that experience, I relate to a lot of the kids. I relate to a lot of their struggles. I couldn’t be more appreciative to have the opportunity to participate in the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program and see it translate into success with the kids.” John Harshaw VP, IT Ports & Destinations Technology at Carnival Cruise Line 9 CARNIVAL SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORING PROGRAM When Dreams Set Sail For twins Stephanie and Geovanna Hernandez, going to college was always a given. How they were going to pay for it was not. Growing up with a single mother on a sparse income, the twins knew they would have to make their own way if they were going to be the first in their family to attend college. Through the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program, Stephanie and Geovanna were among the first high school seniors to earn the Carnival scholarship that opened the door to Florida State University. The girls entered the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program as high school sophomores after attending the HEAT Academy. The mentoring program taught them that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Stephanie recalls bonding with her mentor, Dr. Rosalie Payne, who made a deep impression on her. Payne was the first person she met with a PhD, a degree Stephanie herself is working toward at the University of Texas at San Antonio, after earning two degrees in demography. “Dr. Payne made me more than a better student. She made me a better human being, more responsible, more ambitious and more inquisitive,” said Stephanie. “She taught me to see obstacles as an opportunity to succeed.” Geovanna’s Carnival mentor, Vicky Blanch, taught her to dream big. It was Blanch who planted the idea that she could go to college anywhere, and after earning her BA in sociology she enrolled at Boston University for her MBA. 10 “What I remember most is the one-on-one time I had with Vicky in her office,” said Geovanna. “During my visit, she cleared her schedule and I knew it was my time.” Days with their mentors were spent discussing everything from school to music to goals and aspirations. Both twins say their mentors gave them the confidence to apply to colleges beyond Miami. The scholarship meant they could focus on their studies and dedicate their spare time to giving back to the community. Geovanna was a Big Sister in Tallahassee and is one in Boston, while Stephanie worked with elementary, middle and high school students. When asked what they’d tell an incoming freshman about the Carnival program, Geovanna said, “You can easily show up and go through the motions, but be proactive and make the best of the experience. Use it to better yourself and develop new skills.” Stephanie advises, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. At the Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program, someone is always willing to help. Raise your hand and ask questions.” The twins credit the program with teaching them how to dress, speak in public, prepare for an interview, understand professional etiquette, write a check, and maintain a budget. But most important, was the emotional connection with their mentors. “I had someone to look up to who wasn’t in my family, someone who really cared for me,” said Stephanie. “We had access to a network of people who cared about us and who were truly invested in us,” added Geovanna. 11 KEY INITIATIVES & PROGRAMS National YoungArts Foundation The National YoungArts Foundation identifies and nurtures accomplished YoungArts alumni who have gone on to become leaders in their fields include young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts, and assists actresses Viola Davis, Anna Gunn and Kerry Washington; Broadway stars Raúl them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development. Esparza, Andrew Rannells and Tony Yazbeck; recording artists Josh Groban, Judith YoungArts aspires to create a community of alumni that provides a lifetime of Hill and Chris Young; choreographers Camille A. Brown and Desmond Richardson; encouragement, opportunity and support. visual artists Daniel Arsham and Hernan Bas; television writer, producer and director Jenji Kohan; and New York Times bestselling author Sam Lipsyte. The National YoungArts Foundation was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Cruise Line. YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging artists — ages 15 to 18 or in grades 10 to 12 — from across the United States. Selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of distinguished artists, YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards of up to $10,000, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Sarah Brightman, Plácido Domingo, Frank Gehry, Jeff Koons, Wynton Marsalis, Rebecca Walker and Carrie Mae Weems.