By Katey Whaley

Navigating college and adult life can be daunting for many young people, but with the help of Disney VoluntEARS the TGR Foundation recently hosted a Winter Workshop to bring together the organization’s Earl Woods Scholars for a valuable educational experience as they launch their futures.

“Our mission at TGR Foundation is to empower students to pursue their passions through education,” said John Lee, vice president of Programs and Education. “We are so excited to partner with the Disneyland Resort to bring that mission to life through our Classes to Careers program, which helps our students discover more about their passions for the future.”

During the four-day event, participants were invited to connect with their peers, gain professional development insights and celebrate the class of 2023. Scholars also attended a variety of educational workshops and breakout sessions designed to provide guidance on topics from networking and financial literacy to resume reviews and more.

“I love any opportunity where I get to showcase things that have helped me in my career,” said Disneyland Resort Director of Revenue Management and Analytics Nick Williams, who served as a panelist on the industry professionals panel. “I’m fortunate to be in a position where folks have helped me to get to this point, and now I have the opportunity to give back in return.”

Throughout the four-year program, participants build strong connections with fellow scholars and gain valuable experience to set themselves up for future success. “One of the biggest skills that I have gained from the program is learning how to be an advocate for my own future,” said Alvaro Uribe. “The lessons we gain from events like the Winter Workshop equip us with important tools that I’m excited to apply as I move forward in my future.”

Through its community workforce development initiative, Disneyland Resort collaborates with nonprofit organizations and school districts that serve a diverse set of needs in the community for youth and jobseekers. TGR Foundation is one of many local nonprofits that received a grant from Disneyland Resort this year to support impactful programs that help build the workforce of tomorrow. In total, the Disneyland Resort workforce development initiative has touched more than 10,000 lives over the last five years. Approximately $5.5 million of contributions have helped nonprofits and school districts grow their existing workforce programming and develop brand-new programs to meet residents’ unique needs.

TGR FOUNDATION EARL WOODS SCHOLAR ALVARO URIBE WAS ONE OF MANY PARTICIPANTS IN THE WINTER WORKSHOP EVENT