Sun. July 1, 2007
DOWNTOWN BID EMPLOYS AREA YOUTH FOR SUMMER PROGRAM
(Washington, D.C.) — The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) enhances its hospitality services each year during tourist season by employing college students to work as Summer Hospitality Aides.
Since 2003, the BID has supported the DC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) by training college students on visitor service, communication skills and information about Downtown attractions and services. Throughout the summer, Hospitality Aides can be seen staffing mobile information carts located near Metro stations and in busy pedestrian areas within the BID’s 140-block area between Union Station and the White House.
“We welcome area students to serve as our Hospitality Aides each summer and provide them with an enriching experience and valuable communication skills, while serving as information ambassadors for Downtown,” said Rich Bradley, Downtown BID executive director.
The 2007 Hospitality Aide class consists of nine students who are DC residents. They are:
- Xavier Brown – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Taja Cauthen – University of the District of Columbia
- Barton E. Clemons II – Lincoln University
- DeMario Shaw – Saint Augustine’s College
- Kelvina Spencer – Delaware State University
- Eric Timmons II – Morgan State University
- Alimamy Turay – Coppin State University
- Roderick Vaught – Lincoln University
- Jason White – University of the District of Columbia
A Morgan State University chemistry major who hopes to one-day work for the Central Intelligence Agency, Eric Timmons II, says, “I’m hoping to learn my city like the back of my hand.”
Hospitality Aides welcome visitors and guide them to key cultural, entertainment and dining offerings, as well as other services. They are an extension to the cadre of safety and hospitality SAMs who serve the Downtown community each day, providing a reassuring presence and offering assistance to workers, residents and visitors.
The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) is a private, nonprofit organization that provides safety, hospitality, sanitation, homeless, economic development, transportation, streetscape and marketing services to Washington’s center city. The BID promotes Downtown DC as a premier commercial, cultural and residential destination.
Media interested in scheduling a walking tour of Downtown should contact Downtown BID communications manager Kibibi Bonner, at 202.626.1144.
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