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StreetWise Partners Honors Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford as the 2017 StreetWise Champion

Ashford celebrated for his dedicationto helping individuals find their potential

Seattle, Wash., March 29, 2017— Holland America Line's President Orlando Ashford was named the 2017StreetWise Champion by StreetWise Partners at a 20th Anniversary Celebrationbreakfast Tuesday, March 28. During the event at The MetropolitanClub in New York City, Ashford was recognized for his commitment to workingwith low-income individuals in underserved areas to develop theirworkplace skills and realize their career potential.

Thebreakfast event brought together 300 corporate executives, philanthropists andcommunity members who came to honor Ashford and share their commitment toStreetWise's mission. Ashford previously served on the board of directors of StreetWisePartners and is only the second StreetWise Champion honoree.

"Having served on the board of StreetWise Partners and witnessed the life-changing impact of the organizationfirsthand, I am deeply honored to be named the 2017 StreetWise Champion," saidAshford."Travel opens up the world forpeople to experience other cultures, butthere's still much to be done at home to help our fellow citizens stand ontheir own two feet. Organizations like StreetWise Partners touch the core ofhumanity and work to bridge this gap in society through support andopportunity."

AboutStreetWise Partners
StreetWise Partnersis the only stand-alone mentoring program in the country that focuses onworkforce development. StreetWise Partners' goal is to harness the mentoringresources of the private sector to reduce unemployment within the low-incomecommunities of New York City and Washington, D.C.

Since 1997 the organization has served 3,000 menteesthrough the support of 7,000 volunteers. StreetWise Partners pairs businessprofessionals with trainees who are unemployed to provide them the skills,resources and access to networks they need to secure and maintain employment.Annually the organization serves more than 300 trainees through the support of1,000 volunteers and transitions graduates from a personal income of $7,000 to$30,000.

"Congratulationsto Orlando on being selected as our StreetWise Champion this year," saidStreetWise Partners Executive Director Shari Krull. "Since his time on theboard of directors, Orlando has been committed to our cause and is a truechampion of the work that we do, and no one is more deserving of thisrecognition."

StreetWise Partners'mentoring model is unique in that it is structured, curriculum-driven andoutcome-focused. Each trainee is paired with one to two mentors for one yearwho help them build confidence, gain skills and create strategies to secure ajob and remain employed. For more information about StreetWise Partners visit StreetWisePartners.org.

Formore information about Holland America Line, consult a travel professional,call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

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