United Airlines is expanding the industry’s only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to the airline’s hubs in Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The goal is to welcome 10 more individuals into the program and reach a total of 28 SOSA employees across all seven of its U.S. hubs — furthering its effort to create employment opportunities for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Former San Francisco 49er and all-time receiving touchdowns leader Jerry Rice was on-hand at United’s San Francisco hub last week to help recruit, undergo a “boot camp” by some of United’s existing SOSAs and get a firsthand look at their responsibilities.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of lots of winning teams and world-class organizations, and it’s a real honor to be part of a program like this that proves greatness comes from giving everyone a shot,” Rice said. “What I saw today being trained by these SOSAs was dedication, skill, and heart, and that’s what makes a team unstoppable.”
United’s SOSA program gives Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to earn part-time employment with full employee benefits.
United SOSAs welcome customers in the airport lobby and help them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations, and security lines. Post-security responsibilities include navigating the terminal and using digital customer service tools.
“Our Special Olympics Service Ambassadors deliver a daily dose of inspiration and an extra set of helping hands to our employees while also providing friendly, timely service to our customers,” United Chief Operations Officer and Special Olympics board member Toby Enqvist said. “I’m so proud of our SOSA team and look forward to growing at three more of our hubs – they not only enhance the customer experience in a uniquely United way, but also help to foster inclusive, dynamic, and engaging workplaces for all.”
“The continued expansion of United’s Special Olympics Service Ambassador program is a powerful example of what true inclusion looks like in action,” Zehra Sayin, chief communications, development and marketing officer of Special Olympics said. “By creating meaningful, visible roles for our athletes, United is not only enhancing the travel experience for its customers but also helping to shift perceptions about the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. We are proud to partner with United as they lead the way in showing how diversity and inclusion can strengthen workplaces, communities, and lives.”
United first launched the SOSA program in Chicago during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 2019 and quickly expanded to its hubs in Houston, Denver, and Washington DC.
Since its inception, the Special Olympics Service Ambassadors program has given Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working as part-time employees for United Airlines.
