Like many people, I started my career as a young person in hospitality, and the lessons I learned there have shaped my career journey. From slinging coffee as a barista to serving guests dinner, I learned the value of making people feel seen, included, and welcomed. I've celebrated many good times and the occasional bad times over food and drink.

Last fall, I was invited to speak to a cohort of future hospitality workers through Good Work Austin, and I found a kindred nonprofit focused on supporting my fellow colleagues in hospitality. (I'll speak to their 2026 cohort too.) And that's why I've set up this fundraising page for GWA.

Hospitality work is essential, but it's stressful. You have to put your game face on, no matter what's going on in your personal life. And GWA is leading the way in making it better for the folks in hospitality by protecting their rights and equipping them with tools for better jobs. Through their Culinary Training Program cohorts—where participants receive a programmatic stipend while learning skills that make them attractive job candidates—their pilot free health insurance program, and their Community Kitchen, which pays local restaurants to provide nutritious meals to communities facing food insecurity.

This fundraiser supports GWA directly (100% to their programs). At The Elevated Bear, my hospitality education company, we offer separate scholarships for our ENAB programming—but GWA's frontline worker support is why I'm raising here.

No matter the size of your gift — whether it’s $5 or $500 — it creates a meaningful impact. Every contribution helps someone eat a hot meal, learn a new skill, or keep their small business thriving. $25 funds a cohort training session. $100 supports one month of health pilot coverage. $500 feeds 50 families via Community Kitchen. Truly, every dollar makes a difference.