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Women's group, Tito's launch mental health assistance for restaurant workers

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January 29, 2021

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, which provides scholarships to women to advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer and hospitality industries, has launched an assistance program to help restaurant workers cover health, financial and legal expenses in response to COVID-19.

"Restaurant and hospitality workers have been one of the hardest hit professionals due to the pandemic. So many of our colleagues are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, worries and fears," WOTVS Foundation President Deborah Brenner said in a company press release. "Giving people a direct connection to counseling, professional, financial, legal advisors and valuable resources for all of life's issues is a critical step toward healing those on the front lines and supporting the recovery of our industry."

ComPsych Corporation, which specializes in EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services, will provide the programs under its GuidanceResources brand. 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 well-being portal, enrollees (and their household family members) may access confidential assistance with experienced clinicians, financial professionals and attorneys, as well as self-service tools and resources.

Love, Tito's — the philanthropic arm of Tito's Handmade Vodka — has donated the funding needed to launch the initiative. The enrollment, which is on a first-come, first-served basis, begins Feb. 1. Upon acceptance, candidates will be enrolled and receive the WOTVS Foundation Assistance Program until Jan. 31, 2022.

"The pandemic's impact continues to cause immense stress to those in the restaurant and hospitality industry," Lisa Huddleson, director of Strategic Philanthropy at Tito's Handmade Vodka. "We're honored to work with WOTVS on this program and are committed to doing what we can to support our service industry friends in their time of need."

WOTVS is now accepting donations to offer the program to more individuals in the U.S and to expand it internationally.

Applicants 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.