Highlighting Hope this Holiday Season
This holiday season we are highlighting Kathleen Tisdale, Senior Area General Manager of Hospital Corp of America, to explore more into what the holidays mean to them.
Kathleen’s holiday traditions focus on helping others in need. In their youth, Kathleen faced being homeless and unwanted by their family of origin. These hardships inspire Kathleen to give back to those in need and provide the support to the LGBTQ+ community that they needed when they were young.
“It is very important for me to show our LGBTQ+.png)
employees and youth in our community that there is a place for us in this world and especially in Sodexo. When I was young, I wasn’t seen for so long and was told repeatedly that I had no worth. I want to ensure this never happens to anyone again,” Kathleen shares.
Throughout December Kathleen and their chosen family adopt less fortunate people and provide meals, clothes, mentoring, and support to make sure they are seen, valued, and know they belong. They traditionally go to their local LGBTQ+ homeless youth support center, Zebra Youth in Orlando or Launch Pad in Nashville, to help out the best they can.
“Christmas to us symbolizes hope. It is a time to embrace our differences and find a way forward towards peace, inclusion, and love. In my youth, it wasn’t a happy holiday, and I want to make sure it is for others and myself going forward.”
Kathleen is the Co-Chair of PRIDE and a proud member of the EBRGs NAAC, SOL, and IGEN. During the holidays, Kathleen collaborates with Sodexo’s EBRGs to cook and provide holiday parties at local LGBTQ+ centers for the homeless youth in the community. They also partner with our vendors to get them new backpacks, clothes, shelf-stable food, water bottles, and hygiene products.
“These places did not exist when I had no home and I want to make sure they continue to exist for our youth and help our world become a more inclusive environment where everyone is safe, seen, and accepted by all,” Kathleen exclaims.
Kathleen views the holidays as a time of celebration towards others and personal growth. Through Sodexo’s EBRGs, Kathleen gets to show others that they belong and that their traditions, values, culture, celebrations, and stories matter just as much as everyone else.
“During the holidays, it isn’t the gift of things that matter. I have learned that the more I give of myself, and the more I can be of help and service allows me to work with others to build better villages of inclusion and hope,” Kathleen exclaims.
The holiday season is filled with celebration, love, compassion, generosity, and giving back to those in need. This is a time for our Sodexo family to come together and show the true spirit of the holidays by bringing support to our local communities.