What is the WOTVS Hospitality Assistance Program?

In January of 2021, the WOTVS Foundation launched the Hospitality Assistance Program (HAP), previously known as the Foundation Assistance Program (FAP). The Hospitality Assistance Program offers health, financial and legal aid to restaurant and hospitality workers across the country. With the impacts of COVID-19 disproportionately affecting on-premises, our Foundation was challenged 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 were laid off, furloughed or working reduced hours leaving them in need, with no assistance.

 

The program is made possible by Love, Tito’s, the philanthropic heart of Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In 2021, Tito’s generously committed $45,000 to help launch the initial program. Over the next three years, Tito’s will grant over $90,000 to continue expanding the Hospitality Assistance Program, ensuring that hospitality industry workers are able to take advantage of the free resources.

 

“In 2020, we started working with WOTVS Foundation on building a program that best served hospitality workers during an extremely difficult time," said Lindsey Bates, Director of Philanthropy Operations at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “The positive impact it had on industry members was incredible and we’re excited to continue expanding this program to support more people in 2023 and beyond.”

 

We have selected ComPsych Corporation, the worldwide leader of fully integrated Employee Assistance Programs (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 online well-being portal, enrollees can access confidential assistance with experienced clinicians, financial professionals, and attorneys, as well as leading self-service tools and resources at no cost.

 

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Enrollee Qualification

Enrollees 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. Enrollees 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.