HEART of HOSPITALITY
THROUGH ITS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM , EVANS HOTELS GIVES BACK TO ITS COMMUNITY , ENVIRONMENT AND MORE THAN 1,000 EMPLOYEES .
BY ALLISON EMERY
Kuwa Harin immigrated to the U . S . in 2005 and , one year later , joined Bahia Resort Hotel as a steward . While there are more than 1 million people who immigrate to America each year , Harin ’ s story stands out as one of not only perseverance and strength , but also proof positive that corporate goodwill can go a long way .
Born in Sudan , Harin led what most would call a typical childhood . However , at the age of 9 , his life was turned upside down when he was kidnapped by a rebel militia during the second Sudanese Civil War and forced to fight as a child soldier .
Fifteen years later , after escaping the militia , he came to the U . S . as a refugee . Arriving in San Diego in early 2005 , Harin began taking English classes and sought out employment through the help of immigration services , eventually landing at Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego ’ s Mission Bay .
“ With a positive attitude , a perfect attendance record and expertise in his role , Harin is a standout employee at Bahia Resort Hotel ,” says Ilsa Butler , Chief Marketing Officer for Evans Hotels . “ He is currently working on his citizenship through our WE CARE commitment and the New American Workforce Program .”
WE CARE , established in 2017 by Grace Evans Cherashore , Executive Chairwoman , and Robert H . Gleason , President and CEO of Evans Hotels , is the philanthropic arm of the hotel brand , which owns Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay , as well as the AAA Five Diamond-rated The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla .
“ WE CARE is a reflection of our deep commitment to our employees , community and planet , which we emphasize through our specific initiatives , such as staff leadership development , local philanthropic donations , and on-property conservation efforts ,” Butler says .
48 MISSION : BEACH !