Tuesday, December 19, 2023
JetBlue takes immense pride in commemorating the remarkable accomplishments of the JetBlue Foundation over the past decade, as it has extended its mission far beyond the realms of air travel. For the past ten years, the JetBlue Foundation has tirelessly pursued its goal of kindling the interest of young minds across JetBlue’s extensive network, encouraging them to explore promising careers in aviation. At its core, the Foundation’s mission is dedicated to equipping underrepresented youths, including those from gender and racial minority backgrounds, with the necessary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) resources to empower the next generation of aviators, ensuring they can ascend to prominence in both the boardrooms and hangars of the future.
Distinguished as the first and only airline nonprofit organization with a sole focus on promoting diversity in STEM and aviation education, the JetBlue Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering accessible career pathways for the upcoming generation of aviation professionals. Since 2013, the JetBlue Foundation has cultivated enduring relationships with more than 100 STEM- and aviation-centric programs spanning 16 states, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Ecuador, and the United Kingdom. In addition to mentorship and program support, the Foundation has disbursed over $2.9 million in grants and in-kind assistance, propelling these organizations to greater heights and impacting the lives of over 40,000 young individuals along their educational journeys.
Ursula Hurley, the president of the JetBlue Foundation, emphasized, “From the inception of JetBlue, we have consistently aspired to inspire humanity beyond the confines of air travel, not just for our passengers and dedicated team members but for the diverse communities we serve. Through the JetBlue Foundation, we have successfully nurtured inspiration while positioning aviation as a viable career choice for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.” She further highlighted the importance of youth seeing themselves represented in future career options, expressing pride in the JetBlue Foundation’s decade-long commitment to making aviation a more visible and attainable aspiration for aspiring aviators across their network.
Over the past decade, JetBlue has left an indelible mark on its communities and employees through the impactful initiatives and partnerships forged by the JetBlue Foundation. One notable collaboration is with Aviation High School, located in the airline’s hometown of Long Island City, NY. Since 2013, the JetBlue Foundation has generously awarded five grants, exceeding $100,000 in total, to Aviation High School. These grants have provided crucial support for the school’s STEM and aviation-focused educational programs, enabling advancements in technology, classroom resources, welding labs, and on-site learning experiences. The tangible impact of the JetBlue Foundation’s contributions is evident in the opportunities and enhancements it has brought to students’ educational journeys. JetBlue proudly boasts several crew members who have emerged from Aviation High School and have gone on to build prosperous careers in the aviation industry.
Steven Jackson, Principal of Aviation High School, expressed his gratitude, stating, “JetBlue and the JetBlue Foundation have played an essential role in supporting our Federal Aviation Administration aviation maintenance technician public high school. Over the past decade, through numerous grants, the JetBlue Foundation has empowered our school to offer our diverse student body enriched real-world experiences by acquiring modern technology and critical equipment, enabling our students to obtain their FAA airframe and power plant licenses and gain entry into the aviation maintenance workforce. We take immense pride in this invaluable partnership, as the support from the JetBlue Foundation has paved the way for our students to master the skills necessary to embark on successful careers in air travel maintenance.”
As the JetBlue Foundation celebrates its 10-year milestone, it reflects on a decade filled with impactful programs, mentorship opportunities, internships, and unwavering support, all of which have contributed significantly to creating a more inclusive and accessible path within the air travel industry.
Monday, January 1, 2024
