Southwest Airlines Community

Since 1990, the Southwest Airlines Employees Catastrophic Assistance Charity (SWAECAC) has been supporting Southwest Employees and their families during difficult times in their lives and 2021 was certainly no exception.   This year brought unexpected events, including snowstorms in Texas, which caused power outages, burst pipes, home flooding, and damage, as well as Hurricane Ida, causing destruction across the greater New Orleans area. These natural disasters were on top of the many personal hardships and disasters that also impacted Employees throughout the year. Year to date, the Charity has supported more than 530 requests and awarded nearly $1.8M in financial support to Southwest Employees and their families.   “The mission of the SWAECAC is to help fellow Employees suffering financial hardship resulting from a catastrophic event in their lives,” said Colleen Russell, SWAECAC Board President. “It is a tremendous resource that we want any Southwest Employee who is in need of assistance to take advantage of, so the Charity can help alleviate some of the financial burdens caused by the unexpected.”   Funds awarded through the Charity are made possible thanks to generous contributions from Southwest Employees. This is the Southwest Heart in action and the SWAECAC and its Board of Directors thank you sincerely for your support. Recipient Employees are incredibly grateful as well:   “Thank you for thinking about us after the winter storm and for your generous gift! It has been a huge help to us as we go through this rebuild process. Having the support from our Southwest Airlines family continues to provide so much comfort. The generosity is overwhelming and a blessing. We are truly appreciative of this gift and a company that cares for its Employees. Please know we will be forever grateful!”     The Southwest Airlines Employees Catastrophic Assistance Charity is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of individuals representing various departments across the Company. ... View more

The following blog post was written by Elena Madison, Vice President of Project for Public Spaces   Since 2013, the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community Program, in partnership with Project for Public Spaces (PPS), has awarded grants and placemaking technical assistance to organizations across the United States and Mexico. These organizations use this support to help transform their public spaces into thriving community gathering places.   This year, in our collective effort to help communities and cities shape their future through public space, we are proud to continue our support of placemaking work in San Diego, California and San Antonio, Texas through grants of technical assistance from PPS. These grants are valued at $50,000 and are in the form of Placemaking Visioning Workshops.   The workshops will help recipients collaborate with their partners—stakeholders, government departments and agencies, elected officials, business and property owners, residents, and others—to elevate current placemaking efforts to the district or city level and through a more holistic approach. Content of the workshops will focus on the importance of building and fostering a broader network of destinations. As a result, a vision plan with recommended actions will be produced to assist the grant recipients with next steps.   Elevating placemaking efforts will result in a more connected, stronger, and resilient city overall. Congratulations to our Placemaking Visioning Workshop recipients!     San Antonio Center City Development, Travis Park (San Antonio, TX) In San Antonio, the workshop will seek to develop a strategic approach to better connecting, both physically and programmatically, Travis Park with Houston Street, The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, The San Antonio River Walk, and The Alamo. As Travis Park nears a five-year anniversary since its Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant supported revitalization, it is time to connect the park and other key destinations to the greater downtown experience. By working on a placemaking visioning strategy, City of San Antonio’s Center City Development and Operations Department hopes to further develop partnerships, leverage city funds with private fundraising, and continue catalyzing development in the area.     Balboa Park Conservancy, Balboa Park (San Diego, CA) Building upon the momentum of a Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant in 2014 and recent placemaking activities at Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama, now is the perfect time for San Diego’s Balboa Park to evolve a united vision of placemaking goals and effective partnerships for its 1,200 acres. This effort aims to lay the foundation of a park-wide framework for collaboration and program planning for the vast network of park partners. By creating a greater sense of the park’s impact and importance, Balboa Park Conservancy hopes to build community buy-in and locate new resources to improve the park. ... View more

The following blog post was co-written by Laura Hoagland and Lori Skinner.   During the month of January, advocates, organizations, and individuals around the globe are uniting to raise awareness about the hidden issue of human trafficking.   At Southwest, our Heart is to take care of people and do what’s right by championing our communities, and we are proud to support organizations that combat human trafficking like Polaris, United Against Human Trafficking, and Rethreaded. Their programs and services aid in identification, rescue, restoration, and/or prevention efforts. Through monetary and ticket donations, Southwest supports these organizations in fulfilling their valuable missions and making an impact in the lives of those affected.   According to Homeland Security, every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States. By definition, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation and generates an estimated $150 billion of profit per year.   While human trafficking does not always involve the movement, traveling, or transportation of people, of the estimated 24.9 million victims of human trafficking every year (according to the International Labour Organization (ILO)), 38 percent of survivors in a Polaris-led focus group said they did travel by plane at some point during their exploitation. And a 2014 Urban Institute report indicates that 71 percent of their surveyed sample of labor trafficking victims arrived in this country via airplane before they were trafficked.   In recognition of the month, we invite you to learn more about the human trafficking issue and the organizations that Southwest supports by visiting their websites and sharing what you learn with colleagues, family, or friends.   Additional Details and to Learn More   Polaris: A leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery, Polaris systematically disrupts the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. Polaris’ comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what they do—helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate.   United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT): UAHT is dedicated to ending human trafficking through awareness, education, and outreach. This organization identifies those trapped in cycles of exploitation and connects them to direct services. They also educate diverse communities to know and report the signs of human trafficking, while uniting the Greater Houston area against this crime.   Rethreaded: Rethreaded is a mindful gift company that provides long-term employment coupled with mental health services to survivors of human trafficking in Jacksonville, FL. A Repurpose with Purpose partner, Rethreaded's mission is to renew hope, reignite dreams, and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business.  ... View more

Since 2013, the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community program, in partnership with Project for Public Spaces, has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants and placemaking technical assistance to 20 organizations across the U.S. and Mexico City to transform their public spaces into thriving community gathering places.   This year, the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant was made available to previous recipients between 2013 – 2016 to support the ongoing evolution and sustainability of their public spaces. We are proud to announce this year’s recipients and continue our support of these great places!   Through the Southwest Airlines Foundation, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, each grantee will receive $100,000 in initial project funding, as well as an opportunity for a $25,000 dollar-for-dollar fundraising match. Grant recipients will also receive technical assistance from Project for Public Spaces in specific areas that were identified as a persisting challenge, opportunity, or need.       DowntownABQ Main Street has begun a new phase of planning for Civic Plaza looking at strategic opportunities around micro-economic development, interactive art, and all-ages play and relaxation. This project seeks to support three areas of improvement: physical enhancements, new events, and self-led programs.   Physical enhancements will include added seating to both the large grassy area, as well as around the new spray fountain. The inclusion of colored banners and string lights under the trellised walkway will enhance night time enjoyment and create a more festive setting.   In response to the requests from downtown employees and businesses, a mid-week, lunchtime market will be implemented and a new partnership with Explora children’s museum will bring STEM activities to the plaza to supplement existing family-friendly events.   Additionally, more self-led activities like large scale chess, ping pong, and swings have also been a request from the community that DowntownABQ Main Street strives to fulfill. A second giant Adirondack chair, as well as semi-permanent interactive art installations, will bring more fun photo opportunities for residents and visitors of Albuquerque.       Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) strives to engage and attract a new, more targeted audience to Woodruff Park, as well as better meet the needs of current users from underserved communities. In order to attract younger park users, ADID plans to work with Spark Corps, a local design firm focused on social impact, to engage students from a local high school and Georgia State University (GSU) in co-design activities. Additionally, they seek to support and staff the Game Cart for one year with a social worker who will connect Park visitors in need to social services and teach students about empathy and homelessness in Downtown Atlanta.         Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and Detroit 300 Conservancy will build on five years of established success through amenities, layout, and program additions and improvements that serve to enhance the visitor experience at The Beach at Campus Martius Park. Proposed additions include refreshed amenities, enhancement of existing events, and the creation of new programs and innovative experiences that are attractive to families with children and adults.   Every activity, program, and event will celebrate Detroit by involving local partners, artists, entrepreneurs, and vendors who reflect the personality and culture of the city.   A key part of the Park’s success is exceptional customer service and hospitality. With the growing popularity of The Beach, the DDP and Conservancy also aim to add a beach guest attendant to support new programming objectives and ensure a positive experience for all visitors.       This year, Big Car Collaborative and Indianapolis City Market will continue regular programmed hours for East Plaza and work with artists-in-residence to engage the community in interactive art activities designed to connect people of all different backgrounds.   The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant will support the addition of new programs related to food—like cooking classes, night markets, and community meals that bring people together. Attractive outdoor lighting, heaters, and fire pits will also be added to support new events in both the evenings and winter months.    Big Car and City Market will also build on their social services work with partners such as Horizon House, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, and the YMCA to better reach and provide assistance to underserved individuals and families.   Lastly, funding will aid in the development of approaches for sustaining programming by identifying and pursuing on-site sources of income, facility rental income, and grant and sponsorship opportunities.       Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy (DPPC) aims to further their placemaking mission in downtown Providence by activating a dormant space adjacent to the Imagination Center at Burnside Park. This space is a main entrance to the Park at the heart of Greater Kennedy Plaza.   The addition of new amenities, such as a flexible performance space/stage and artisan market stalls will support a range of events, community programming, and potential revenue-generating activity.   The Imagination Center will also receive some updates to its exterior, transforming it into a destination welcome center for tourists, highlighting public art, and providing information to connect community members to various services.   Existing programs will also be expanded earlier and later in the season in hopes of engaging new audiences, such as students on nearby campuses in spring, fall, and winter, as these are the future talent and workforce of Providence and the future stewards of our public spaces. ... View more

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we open our Hearts, put aside our differences, and come together for a common goal.   On Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, Southwest Employees, friends, and family did just that when they braved the frigid temperatures and joined together for a whole-community effort to bring positive change to the English Avenue neighborhood in Atlanta. Volunteers worked to enhance the campus grounds at the former English Avenue Elementary school by clearing litter, leaves and debris, installing and painting shade structures and benches, and planting shrubs. They also painted murals to hang in the windows of abandoned buildings throughout the neighborhood and built chess tables outside St. Mark’s Church.   This was just one volunteer event that took place in the past year as part of our year-long commitment to help build resilience within this Atlanta neighborhood as well as neighborhoods in Chicago and Phoenix.     The story of the day is best shared by those who put their Hearts in action.   “Having people of various ages, races, and backgrounds working together toward a common goal of servitude felt amazing. A beautiful symphony of brotherhood was on full display as we painted, planted, assembled, and served in harmony as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned. It was an honor to participate and represent Southwest Airlines and my local Georgia Center on that fine day.” —Charles Mason, Georgia Center Customer Support & Services Team Leader     “After completing my portrait that will be used in the windows of abandoned homes in the area, I looked back and saw all the beautiful creations that everyone completed! It was heartwarming with all the positive quotes and expressions of love that will make someone’s day brighter and hopefully leave a lasting impact.” —Adrienne Dore, ATL Customer Representative     “That morning, the outside temperature was cold, but the energy was increasing as more and more people came out. I really got a true sense of community as I met people from all parts of Atlanta and the surrounding counties. It seemed to me, the common theme was "What can I do to help?” I was asked this question often during the day. The work went by so quickly that I did not realize how much was accomplished. It really showed me that we can come together and achieve a common goal.” —Ray McGuffie, Hands On Atlanta Volunteer Leader     “What meant the most to me about serving the English Avenue neighborhood was that it gave this community an opportunity to see beauty beyond the current conditions. An abandoned building or in this case a school, brings the morale down and gives a sense of hopelessness. But beautifying that same place completely redirects the emotions to hope and you are able to see that it’s not forgotten and neither are the people of that community.” —Desiree Salley, ATL Flight Attendant     “We had at least three members of the homeless community join us on the day of service. One man came up and asked if he could have something to eat. After he grabbed a few items, he took off his backpack and joined in on the work. A few minutes later, another homeless man asked if we were hiring. I told him, this was all volunteer work but he could grab a snack if he wanted. He grabbed a couple items and left. About 15-20 minutes later, he returned and said it was on his heart to come back and volunteer.” —Raquel Hudson, Hands On Atlanta Project Leader     “It was the most amazing experience and full of so much love. I was in my element, a gathering of people working together to make a difference in a world that can be so cold. The relationships we have as neighbors that day changed, I saw something different in my neighbors. We could as residents put aside our differences and make a change.” —Annie Moore, English Avenue resident     Are you looking for ways to put your Heart in Action? Visit allforgood.org to find a volunteer project or opportunity near you. ... View more

Like many college-aged students in search of practical, hands-on experience, Christine went searching for an internship to supplement her studies in urban design and community development at Georgia State University. Luck would have it that she would cross paths with Woodruff Park Project Manager, Ansley Whipple and was immediately interested by the work that was taking place in the heart of Downtown Atlanta.   “I’m inspired to devote my life to social and environmental impact projects,” Christine says. “I want to build and create projects, places and programs that work in conjunction with the culture and beat of the community to help it thrive to its fullest potential.”   Over the summer, Christine began doing just that through her work at Central Atlanta Progress, the organization responsible for the management of Woodruff Park as part of their commitment to creating a thriving Downtown Atlanta community. Christine was charged with helping to facilitate the operations and programming of a new brightly colored activity game cart that was added as an anchor point in the Park with the help of a 2016 Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant.   The game cart has brought vibrant activity to an area of the park that Christine witnessed as poorly used and virtually abandoned in her four years of attendance at Georgia State University, whose campus is adjacent to the Park. “It’s heartwarming to see people from all walks of life enjoying the fun that the game cart has to offer. It has created diversity in the Park without displacing any groups and has promoted positive activity and interaction between people and groups with widely different backgrounds,” Christine exclaims.   Christine has had the pleasure of overseeing volunteers to manage and operate the game cart and one volunteer left a lasting impression. “Carlos regularly plays chess with his friends in the Park and was curious about the new game cart,” Christine remembers. “I explained that it is managed and run by volunteers and he immediately jumped at the chance to volunteer himself. He spent 5 hours volunteering and checking out games to his friends and neighbors, which he described as the most fun he has ever had working and was inspired to volunteer as often as he could.” Do you know a “connector” like Christine in your community? The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants support the creation of spaces and opportunities that build connections and bring people together to strengthen communities for a more resilient future. To learn more about Woodruff Park, visit https://www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community/#atlanta. ... View more

The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community program is our commitment to building connections that bring people together and strengthen communities for a more resilient future. Since 2013, Southwest has invested $6.4 million in building connections and supported projects in 21 cities.     We put our Hearts into action by loving our neighbors for a more resilient future As part of the program and in partnership with Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, Southwest Employees in ATL, MDW, and PHX will be part of a whole-community effort that engages local changemakers to take individual and collective action in three local communities. We hope to transform English Avenue (ATL), Bronzeville (MDW), and Park South (PHX) into thriving places of opportunity.   Through next June, we will work collectively to move the neighborhood forward. From planting trees to provide shade, making enhancements to community gardens and play spaces, to improving vacant store fronts and streetscape appearance, together, we can support our neighbors in their efforts to improve the way their communities look, feel, and function.   Southwest Volunteer Spotlight On August 26, our MDW Employees put their Hearts in action at the Bronzeville Block Party by building relationships with residents, serving food, building and distributing back to school kits, playing bingo with senior citizens, and engaging families in various games and activities. More than 150 residents enjoyed the event over a four-hour period, all while volunteers cleaned two city blocks and distributed 144 backpacks filled with school supplies.   On October 28, PHX Employees volunteered their Hearts and hands in the Park South neighborhood in Phoenix by planting 22 large shade trees throughout the neighborhood, which will provide much needed relief during those blistering, high-temperature days. Our PHX Cohearts also worked together to spruce up ML King Elementary School by painting two new murals, building two kid-sized picnic tables, installing a custom built sandbox, beautifying the campus by picking weeds and picking up litter, and installing new shade over an existing pergola.   Whether in the air or on the ground, we believe community is more than a place–it’s at the Heart of what brings us together. Southwest is proud to support our neighbors in the English Avenue, Bronzeville, and Park South communities!   Are you looking for ways to put your Heart in Action? Visit allforgood.org to find a volunteer project or opportunity near you. ... View more

The following blog post is from Philip Winn, Vice President, Project for Public Spaces   Although it has always been an important place for the Condesa neighborhood, in recent years, the Foro Lindbergh section of Parque México has been recognized as a space that should be defined by community members. Local nonprofit Lugares Públicos has played a pivotal role in strengthening Foro Lindbergh as a community-led public space and we have had the honor of supporting them as part of the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community program.   Lugares Públicos’ work in Foro Lindbergh is most visible through LEA, which is a colorful library kiosk they designed and installed, and the many activities and programs they’ve organized there with the local community. A less visible but equally important outcome of their work has been in the social ties that have been forged and strengthened between neighbors.   When disaster struck on the afternoon of September 19th, residents of Condesa began to gather in Foro Lindbergh almost immediately. They traveled there not only because it is centrally located and it feels safe, but also because it is a space they already felt a strong connection to.    Within hours, the Foro became an essential hub for an entirely citizen-led relief effort. Volunteers improvised systems to organize a flood of contributions from donors responding to calls for food, water, medicine, and supplies. Tents were pitched to house neighbors who fled collapsed or damaged buildings. Mental and physical therapists arrived to help people who experienced stress and trauma. A local restaurant even moved their grills to the Foro and served hundreds of free tacos al pastor.   Guillermo Bernal, director of Lugares Públicos, witnessed first hand how connections created before the earthquake helped aid the relief efforts. He said, “We already had a very active group on the instant messenger WhatsApp to communicate about activities and events in Foro Lindbergh. So people naturally started using the same group to organize, share information, and coordinate volunteer efforts that were happening in Foro Lindbergh and throughout Condesa.”   The benefits of vibrant community-led public spaces like Foro Lindbergh are easy to notice on regular days. You witness unplanned meetings between neighbors, children having the chance to explore and play, and people of all ages enjoying the feeling of being part of a lively place where there is a lot to do. It's harder to see the experiences that are strengthening important connections in moments of crisis. We cannot always prevent or predict the next adversity that a community will face, but by investing in our public spaces, we sow seeds of resiliency for the challenges to come. ... View more

Just as a hub is the central part of the wheel on a bike, rotating on an axel from which spokes radiate, it can also be used to describe a vibrant city center that connects various organizations, entities, and individuals.   Karin Ogden, Executive Director of Indy Bike Hub YMCA, is one of those spokes for City Market East Plaza, which has become a vibrant hub in downtown Indianapolis. After the Market received a Southwest Airlines 2016 Heart of the Community grant, she and her team joined in the effort to bring new life to the East Plaza by encouraging and testing different activities and being part of the daily operations of the plaza.   “Over 25 years ago, the East Plaza was no more than a pass through to take you somewhere else,” Karin remembers. “Now, the plaza is coming into its own as a destination in the heart of Indy.”   Earlier this year, the Plaza hosted the city’s annual “Bike to the 500” event. Over 200 people, some bicyclists, some newcomers, and some who came just to hang out, attended.  In that moment, inspiration struck Karin as she observed people enjoying one another as music and laughter filled the air. She remembers thinking, “It’s the simple things like music, ping pong, and conversation that will bring this place to life.” Those simple pleasures can now be found on any given day out on East Plaza.   The process that led to that point was a collaborative one with many contributors such as Karin lending their time, talents, and voices to create this vibrant hub. Many different spokes were needed to keep things rolling forward.   “This vibrant place and coming together with others to make it happen makes me feel even more connected to my City of Indianapolis. I can see the wonderful possibilities that come about when people work together. They are endless!”   Do you know a “connector” like Karin in your community?   The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants support the creation of spaces and opportunities that build connections and bring people together to strengthen communities for a more resilient future. To learn more about Indianapolis’ City Market East Plaza, visit https://www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community/#indianapolis. ... View more

Greta Greenberger knows the value of fostering meaningful connections in her everyday life. As the recently-retired director of Philadelphia City Hall Tours and Visitor Center, Greta has been in the business of connecting those around her to their home city for more than 25 years. On any given day, she may be found investing in friendships or helping facilitate pivotal programs that foster the arts and culture of Philadelphia. “I want to build unity in both big and small ways; I want to make people feel comfortable,” she shares. “I want both our permanent residents and our visitors to know that everyone is welcome here.”   Greta proved integral to the success of Southwest Airlines’ 2016 Heart of the Community Grant to Philadelphia’s City Hall Courtyard, serving as a visionary from the beginning, an active proponent of the project throughout, and a selector of the final design at the end. Known as a dynamic “connector” in her community, Greta helped bring together the many pieces of the project that led to its final success.      What most makes Greta’s heart swell with joy? “When the project was launched, the courtyard filled with people at lunchtime enjoying the activities,” Greta shares. “I looked around, and I saw a little girl dancing to the beat of the music. She just couldn’t stop! I saw another couple stand up and start dancing too. ‘YES!’ I thought. It was all that we hoped for—it was beautiful.” City Hall is an institution of 110 years old this year, but it is evolving in new and exciting ways. The courtyard is an example of how this historic place can serve as a platform for building unity, civility, and friendships.   Do you know a “connector” like Greta in your community?   The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants supports the creation of spaces and opportunities that build connections and bring people together to strengthen communities for a more resilient future. To learn more about Philadelphia’s City Hall Courtyard, visit https://www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community/#philadelphia.     ... View more

  Southwest and Project for Public Spaces are now accepting applications for the 2017 Heart of the Community grant. To learn more about the grant and how to apply, visit www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community.     This post is by Guillermo Bernal, Founder & Director, Lugares Públicos A.C.   If you’ve strolled through the Lindbergh Forum on any recent Saturday, you’ve likely witnessed moments like these: children curled up in their grandparents’ arms reading stories, students listening to a live band, friends kicking around a soccer ball, or a couple sharing ice cream.   Since December 2015, Lugares Públicos has been helping citizens reimagine the forum—a historic Art Deco plaza at the center of Parque Mexico in the Roma-Condesa District of Mexico City. Our work is supported by Southwest Airlines’ Heart of the Community program, and we’ve been privileged to be the first project outside the U.S. to receive a grant.   Mexico has a grand tradition of public spaces, but citizens are rarely invited to actively shape the places vital to their everyday lives. The process in the forum began with a series of onsite workshops asking neighbors and visitors for suggestions for the space. From the input, more than 100 activities and events have occurred in the last few months—including yoga classes, movie screenings, art exhibitions, and performances.     One of the most inventive and popular programs is the Plant Clinic. All weekend, a local gardening expert parks his “Plant Ambulance” at the forum, offering advice and hands-on workshops to residents on all matters relating to plants and urban farming.   Along with programs, we’ve added more seating, a game center, and a bicycle-powered mobile book cart, designed and built by area residents and operated in partnership with the nearby library.     Today, the forum is more alive than ever. It continues to be a beloved space for the Condesa neighborhood and is now a place where residents feel welcomed and encouraged to connect with each other. We hope this project becomes a model for community-led programming in Mexico and will inspire collaboration to improve public spaces throughout the country. ... View more

By Josh Cowan, Dizzy Cow Pizzeria, Baltimore, MD When I made a cross-country move to Baltimore a few years ago, I saw it as a chance to shake up my career. I was a chef out west, but I really wanted to do something on my own. My business is called Dizzy Cow Pizzeria, and I travel all over the Baltimore area cooking at markets, festivals, concerts, and private events.   One of the first regular locations for Dizzy Cow Pizzeria was the weekly farmers market on Pratt & Light Plaza in downtown Baltimore. When I started cooking at the plaza, there wasn’t much going on except the market once a week and the space could feel pretty empty and lifeless the rest of the time.   Over the last two years, I’ve seen the plaza begin to change into something really special. With help from a Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore was able to put in new landscaping and seating, as well as create more events each week on the plaza. There’s even a cool new shipping container kiosk and deck. The crowds at the farmers market have grown a lot, and the plaza is full of people from nearby offices and apartments who come to hang out.     I’m committed to using as many fresh and local ingredients as possible to make the most delicious food I can, and I love to try out new combinations. I feel like the team working on the plaza has been doing the same thing. They’re always experimenting with how to bring new improvements, partners, and activities together to make Pratt & Light a place Baltimore can be proud of. The plaza is a fun, inspiring place to work where I can know my regulars by name and be part of something bigger than just a market. That’s what I wanted when I started Dizzy Cow and why the Pratt & Light Plaza is so important to my business and me. It’s not just a location—it’s a place.   Southwest and Project for Public Spaces are now accepting applications for the 2017 Heart of the Community grant. To learn more about the grant and how to apply, visit www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community. ... View more

After four years of impactful projects in 18 cities, Southwest and Project for Public Spaces are looking for our next set of community-driven public space projects to fund in the cities we serve. To learn more about the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant and for information on how to apply, visit www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community.   At Southwest, we have spent the past 45 years democratizing the skies—now we are creating an “open seating policy” in public spaces by helping people build meaningful connections with those around them through our Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants. In partnership with Project for Public Spaces, we are committed to bringing people together in developing a shared vision for their public spaces, ensuring they meet the needs of residents in order to create a more vibrant and livable community.   An evaluation focusing on five of our initial projects is proving that on average a Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant can leverage four-times its amount in additional funding from other sources, furthering the valuable work of grant recipients. Additionally, these investments in public space have proven to result in many other positive outcomes for cities.     From 2013 to 2015, public space grant projects in Detroit, MI; San Antonio, TX; Providence, RI; San Diego, CA; and Baltimore, MD, have seen the following: Over 2.5 million visitors 4 million event attendees   The reading room in Providence has brought hundreds of families to Burnside Park—softening the image of the park—where people once felt unsafe, by giving kids and their parents a reason to take back the public space, creating a welcoming environment for the entire community.     While improvements to these sites has increased visitation, the revitalization of these now vibrant public spaces has also generated the following: 147 new jobs $7.7 million in visitor spending   Food trucks and other vendors have shown up in full force at Plaza de Panama after the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant encouraged adjacent museums to spill out onto the plaza and engage passersby in San Diego.     No matter how different each project is, one key theme emerges: it’s not just about making a place; it’s about improving quality of life for the surrounding community! ... View more

Over the past two weeks, Southwest Employees’ commitment to being green has been nothing short of amazing. We can’t say that we’re surprised, as our Employees are known for rising to meet any challenge and Billion Acts of Green was certainly no exception. What was surprising was the wide variety of ways our Employees contributed to the Earth Day Network’s national campaign. From volunteering at community farms and gardens, collecting shower water for reuse in flowerbeds, picking up trash in neighborhoods, biking and walking to the store, or upcycling cereal boxes and coffee cans into magazine and pen holders, these simple acts and lifestyle changes will make a huge difference. We are proud to announce that over the course of the challenge, 54 Southwest locations participated resulting in 79,092 total Acts of Green. The top contributor was our Team in San Jose, whose incredible efforts will result in a tree planting at a local school on behalf of Southwest and Earth Day Network. Why is this important? Not only will the trees have environmental benefits and beautify the school, but research shows that the addition of trees has a positive impact on academic performance and a student’s ability to learn. With the end of the Southwest Billion Acts of Green challenge, we would like to issue a new one. Don’t stop! Continue to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into your everyday life because the future of our planet is up to us!   ... View more

The following blog post was written by the Director of Communications for National Forest Foundation,  Greg M. Peters. Our National Forests and Grasslands stretch from Florida to Alaska. These public lands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, provide myriad benefits for our country and our communities: clean water and clean air, wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species, almost unlimited recreational opportunities, and countless natural resources. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is the only national conservation organization dedicated to restoration and community engagement on our National Forests and Grasslands. Headquartered in Missoula, MT, with field offices across the country, the NFF’s small but dedicated staff of 23 covers the entire 193-million-acre National Forest System. Through a suite of programs, the NFF provides millions of dollars in grants to local conservation organizations, plants millions of trees, provides support, technical assistance, and facilitation for collaborative efforts that tackle the challenges facing these public lands, and connects millions of Americans to these landscapes every year. The issues facing our forests are daunting, making the NFF’s work both challenging and rewarding. Fortunately, with community partners like Southwest Airlines, we can improve our ability to meet these challenges. Support from Southwest has assisted NFF staff to meet with partners, donors and the Forest Service, provided travel scholarships for participants to attend a two-day workshop about improving collaborative efforts for our National Forests and Grasslands and  opportunities for our on-the-ground partners to travel to conferences, field sites and other locations, adding value and efficiency to their restoration work. The NFF is grateful for Southwest Airline’s support because it’s making a real difference for our shared National Forests and Grasslands. The NFF encourages all Southwest Airlines Employees and Customers to visit their local National Forest. Chances are good that there’s one nearby; seven in ten Americans live within 100 miles of a National Forest or Grassland. Which one is your favorite? To learn more about National Forest Foundation, visit www.nationalforests.org. ... View more

Happy Earth Day! Every year, Southwest celebrates Earth Day in a variety of ways—recycling cans inflight, participating in clean-up projects in our communities, and planting new spring trees and flowers at home.  This year, in honor of Earth Day, we are teaming up with our national partner, Earth Day Network and contributing to their Billion Acts of Green campaign. From April 22 to May 6, Southwest Employees across the country will engage in a competition to complete as many Acts of Green as possible. An Act of Green can be as simple as using a refillable mug or water bottle, unplugging electronics when not in use or turning off the water when brushing your teeth. Featured in the video above is Southwest’s very own, Bob Montgomery, Vice President of Airport Affairs, with his first Act of Green to kick off the competition. We invite you to join our efforts and engage your family, friends, and neighbors in going green this Earth Day and every day, as our individual Acts and collective effort can make a big impact on our Planet. To join Earth Day Network and their Billion Acts of Green campaign, visit http://www.earthday.org/take-action/. ... View more

At Southwest, our Purpose is to connect People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. As the airline with a heart, that commitment extends far beyond the skies and deep into the cities we serve, where our support of vibrant public spaces is having positive and lasting effects on communities. The Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community program focuses on reimagining public spaces as the true hearts of communities. By boosting community participation in the creation, design, and unique programming of public spaces, they become central gathering places where everyone feels welcome. Today, with a little help from our 2016 Heart of the Community grant recipients and Southwest Employees from across the country, we are pleased to announce our new favorite public spaces:  Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Atlanta, GA - Woodruff Park (Left to right) Angela Allen, ATL Customer Service Agent, Renee Perdue Rucker, Central Atlanta Progress and Monique Townsend, ATL Station Services Coordinator Philadelphia, PA – City Hall Courtyard (Left to right) Mel King, PHL Ramp Agent, Emily Gowen, The Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia, Marsha Clarke, PHL Customer Service Agent, and Stephanie Chiorean, City of Philadelphia Indianapolis, IN – City Market & Monument Circle (Left to right) Stevi Stoesz , Indianapolis City Market and Bryan Martin, IND Station Manager Indianapolis, IN – City Market & Monument Circle Angela Shockley, IND Customer Service Supervisor and Jim Walker, Big Car Collaborative. Minneapolis, MN – 5 to 10 on Hennepin (Left to right) Nikki Rodriguez, MSP Customer Service Supervisor and Shannon Haynes, MSP Customer Service Supervisor What’s YOUR favorite public space? Tell us in the comments below and you may see your answer in an upcoming issue of Southwest: The Magazine!  In 2014, Southwest launched the Heart of the Community program, which awards grants to create public spaces in the hearts of communities served by the airline. With the addition of the five newly announced grant recipients, the program has supported 18 innovative and transformative projects. To learn more, visit pps.org/Heart-of-the-Community. Featured photo above: Los Angeles, CA – Pershing Square (Left to right) Pauline Morris-Ewing, LAX Customer Service Supervisor, Eduardo Santana and Alex Sasayama, Pershing Square Renew, and Pearl Mapu, LAX Station Administrator ... View more

Through Southwest Airlines' Heart of the Community program, we have connected people in the places they love by reimagining public spaces in more than a dozen communities in which our Employees and Customers call home. Last Friday, we joined the local community in celebrating our newest and first international Heart of the Community project in the Foro Lindbergh section of Parque México. This hardscape plaza in the heart of Condesa, a classical neighborhood lined with trees and restaurants in México City, has been cherished by the community for decades. However, the plaza lacked the flexible amenities and programming that would encourage more residents to stop by for a visit. An initial donation from Southwest in 2015 supported a series of community workshops and activities, facilitated by the local organization, Lugares Públicos and Southwest’s national nonprofit partner, Project for Public Spaces. The workshops were designed to uncover what people craved in this area of the park. New features like a mobile library cart, an outside art gallery and more than 20 plush bean bag chairs, as well as ongoing programming, all came to life on Friday through this community-led process. Residents of all ages could be seen nose deep in books during reading clinics, holding warrior poses as they practiced yoga, playing frisbee with their pets, eating colorful paletas (popsicles), and soaking up the warm México City sunshine with family and friends. As laughter and conversation filled the air, it was evident these new enhancements were already bringing much joy to the community members in attendance. To allow for continued successful programming, installation of new design features, and ongoing management of the park, Southwest has committed to an additional donation in 2016. We’ve left our heart in México City and invite you to join us by visiting Foro Lindbergh the next time you’re in town or visit one of our other Heart of the Community project sites in a city near you! In 2014, Southwest announced a multi-year commitment to creating and revitalizing open, public places in the heart of cities through the Heart of the Community program. In partnership with Project for Public Spaces, Southwest is committed to leveraging the power of placemaking to strengthen connections between people and the places they share. To learn more and for a map of our current projects, visit pps.org/Heart-of-the-Community/. ... View more

Southwest Airlines is furthering its commitment to placemaking and revitalizing public spaces by announcing a grant to Lugares Públicos – a local organization that supports community-driven projects in Mexico City. Lugares Públicos is dedicated to working with the local community to create a shared vision for the Foro Lindbergh section of the famed Parque Mexico through placemaking. In partnership with Project for Public Spaces (PPS), organizers plan to work directly with the local community to create a schedule of meaningful programming and identify a suite of flexible, physical amenities to support a growing amount of activities in the park. This is the first international placemaking grant awarded by Southwest since launching the Heart of the Community program in April of 2014. To date, Southwest has funded Placemaking projects in a dozen cities, including San Diego, CA; Detroit, MI; and Portland, ME just to name a few. Through this initiative, Southwest seeks to bring people together in new ways and inspire action to build stronger, more vibrant, and more accessible public spaces. Starting this weekend, Lugares Publicos will launch a month-long series of community workshops and events. These gatherings are designed to engage local residents and encourage their participation in the process of setting a clear vision and expectation for what Parque Mexico can offer to the community. We are excited to see transformation take place in this valued public place! In 2014, Southwest announced a multi-year commitment to creating and revitalizing open, public places in the heart of cities through the Heart of the Community program. In partnership with Project for Public Spaces, Southwest is committed to leveraging the power of placemaking to strengthen connections between people and the places they share. To learn more, visit pps.org/Heart-of-the-Community.   ... View more

Southwest proudly sponsors Honor Flight Network and donated more than $20,000 in air travel for nearly 50 Lone Eagle Veterans and their guardians to participate in a special Honor Flight and V.E. Day 70 th Anniversary commemoration events in Washington, D.C. The events in early May included a massive flyover of WWII aircraft and a ceremony at the WWII Memorial, during which Southwest provided refreshments and snacks to Veterans in attendance. The Veterans also spent the day visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial, as well as the Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard. Through our national partnership with Honor Flight Network, we feel fortunate to provide travel to so many men and women who bravely served our country and connect them with the memorials that honor their fellow soldiers who lost their lives in battle. Southwest is proud to be the official airline of Honor Flight Network, donating more than $3 million in travel to chapters across the United States since 2009. ... View more

We're excited to have Eric Greitens, former U.S. Navy SEAL, founder of The Mission Continues, and award-winning author, onboard a flight this morning from STL-DCA for an inflight book reading, where he will be sharing excerpts from his new book, answering questions onboard and on Twitter, and distributing signed, hard-copy audio books courtesy of Macmillan Audio to everyone on board. Even if you aren’t onboard, you can still get involved! Listen to a note from Eric here and submit your own questions to him on Twitter by tweeting Eric at @EricGreitens with the hashtag #ResilienceLiveRead. See the below post to learn more about Eric and The Mission Continues. When I hear the word “resilient,” I immediately think of a good friend of mine. She has experienced great tragedy and loss, but despite it all, she has managed to push on, and without a doubt, is stronger because of it. I have always admired that spirited quality in people. The story of pushing through an unbearable circumstance—the loss of a loved one, a triumph over cancer or experiencing war is certainly not a new one, but it is an inspiring one. Life can be hard. In order to cope, we must all learn how to be a little more resilient. If you ask Eric Greitens, former US Navy SEAL, founder of The Mission Continues, and award-winning author, I am sure he would tell you that our service men and women are some of the most resilient. In his new book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life, Eric uses his personal experience of helping a brother-in-arms through loss, fear, and a search for purpose as a lesson in living a more resilient life. Southwest Airlines met Eric back in 2008, when we began working with The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit organization that challenges veterans to serve their community in new ways. It can be challenging for service members to translate their skills and passions here at home, but through service opportunities provided by The Mission Continues with various organizations, Veterans are able to succeed with the same sense of purpose and intensity as they did on tour. Among the many military organizations that Southwest Airlines supports, we are proud to have donated $875,000 in travel and cash to support The Mission Continues since 2010. Eric has become a dear friend and someone we are proud to know. He has been recognized time and time again for his numerous accomplishments in social entrepreneurship, leadership and service, the latter being one of his greatest passions, which is evident when you hear him speak. We have surprised and delighted our Customers with musical performances 35,000 feet in the air and now we hope to motivate and inspire them. From the Airline that started as a sketch on a napkin, I think a story of resiliency is an appropriate one for us to share. ... View more

While recovering at the Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), Frankie Gomez, who recently retired as a Sergeant Major as a career National Guardsman, was searching for organizations that support veterans where he could spend his time volunteering.  He was referred to the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF),began volunteering in small roles, and quickly became a leader.  His understanding of what it means to be at a WTB and how to get healthy both physically and mentally, while also being able to relate to the troops on a peer-to-peer level, has been a true asset for AFF.   For that reason, he was chosen to be a group leader and mentor to the wounded warriors attending the 2014 Salute Our Troops trip to Las Vegas. Frankie has graciously written this blog, recounting his experiences during the December 3-6 trip , for which Southwest Airlines donated travel to 45 veterans and their guests. Southwest Airlines has been a proud national sponsor of Armed Forces Foundation for four years. When I was asked by Armed Forces Foundation to assist as a group leader for wounded warriors during the 2014 Salute Our Troops event, I didn’t know what to expect, but was honored to be asked to fill this role. I knew this trip was going to be special after my first encounter with the Southwest Airlines staff at the San Antonio airport.  They were highly professional, well organized, and welcomed us with open arms and smiles, which continued for the duration of our flight.  The arrival at the Las Vegas airport was beyond what I could have ever imagined, with VIP treatment and a welcoming committee of Customers waving flags, an honor guard, and even bagpipe players.  I had never felt so special! Arriving at The Venetian was like a dream.  To see the look on all of the warriors’ faces was priceless. As they walked down that long red carpet into the Venetian, they slipped into celebrity mode as they smiled for pictures and waved to the hundreds of Venetian employees who had come to greet us. During that moment, it was clear that they felt like someone again, someone who truly mattered. On a personal level, I never expected to find true closure on the nightmare I had been living with.  During the trip, I met up with a young soldier who had the same type of Leukemia I do.  For once, I had someone I could walk that dark road with, and feel a sense of relief that someone understands the horror I live with.  Since then, we have been chatting daily and helping each other with side effects and other issues.  I have also felt guilty being diagnosed with severe PTSD without ever serving in combat.  Attending the trip helped me realize that I didn’t ask for what I suffer from, and that PTSD comes in all different forms. I feel like a huge burden was lifted off of me. While the trip was fun and relaxing, overall, it has brought light to not only me, but for many brothers and sisters who I can now call friends and will continue to keep in touch with. Above all else, that is what I am truly grateful for! ... View more