Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3), the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) has launched a groundbreaking assistance program offering health, financial, and legal aid to restaurant and hospitality workers in response to COVID-19.
WOTVS Foundation, which provides scholarships to women to advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer, and hospitality industries, was faced with the challenge to find an innovative solution to offer aid to those in need. Normally these types of benefits are paid for by the employer, but due to the pandemic, many industry professionals have been laid off, furloughed, or working reduced hours leaving them in need, with no assistance.
In order to provide quality services and benefits to those who need it most, WOTVS Foundation has selected ComPsych Corporation, the worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych GuidanceResoures® core services include short-term counseling, treatment referrals, financial, retirement, legal, family, child, elder assistance, and intervention for critical incidents and more.
Through a 24/7 toll-free number and best-in-class well-being portal, enrollees (and their household family members) can access confidential assistance with experienced clinicians, financial professionals, and attorneys, as well as leading self-service tools and resources.
“Restaurant and hospitality workers have been one of the hardest hit professionals due to the pandemic. So many of our colleagues are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, worries and fears,” said President, WOTVS Foundation, and Founder & CEO, WOTVS, Deborah Brenner. “Giving people a direct connection to counseling, professional, financial, legal advisors and valuable resources for all of life’s issues is a critical step toward healing those on the front lines and supporting the recovery of our industry.”
Thanks to a generous donation from Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic arm of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a Silver Corporate Member of WOTVS and Benefactor Donor to the WOTVS Foundation, the program received funding to initiate the launch. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Upon acceptance, candidates will be enrolled and receive the WOTVS Foundation Assistance Program until January 31, 2022. To offer the program to more individuals in the U.S and expand internationally, donations are being accepted.
“The pandemic’s impact continues to cause immense stress to those in the restaurant and hospitality industry,” said Lisa Huddleson, Director of Strategic Philanthropy at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re honored to work with WOTVS on this program and are committed to doing what we can to support our service industry friends in their time of need.”
Applicants must be employed in the restaurant and/or hospitality industry for a minimum of three years or currently unemployed, furloughed, or working fewer hours, having previously worked for a minimum of three years prior to their current unemployment status. For those employed, please check with your HR Manager if your company offers an EAP program before applying. Applicants must be U.S. residents. ComPsych is the largest EAP provider in 170 countries. It is our intent for Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation to offer this program internationally in the near future. Enrollment is on an annual basis and enrollment term is February 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022.
WOTVS Foundation 2021 Scholarship Fund Donors: Patron: E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor: Skrewball Spirits, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Affiliate: Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Supporter: Grounded World, Scott Laboratories, Inc.
