CarolinaLIFE students will soon have a new employment opportunity available in The Lantern Hotel Columbia!

Raines, a leading hospitality organization, has announced that its upcoming Columbia, South Carolina boutique property will be known as The Lantern Hotel Columbia. This unique initiative combines an adaptive reuse of Columbia’s historic firehouse with a team of hospitality professionals with special abilities. Lantern Columbia is more than just a hotel, it’s a purpose-driven property that will serve as a beacon of inclusion and pride for the Columbia community.

The Lantern is located in Columbia’s Vista neighborhood, steps from the University of South Carolina, the State Capitol, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and will collaborate with both The University’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and CarolinaLIFE, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Hotel will provide hospitality career paths through training and gainful employment for the students in the CarolinaLIFE program and others in the community that have historically faced barriers to employment. Alongside these students will be the next generation of hospitality leaders from USC’s school of hospitality program. This initiative represents the heart of The Lantern Hotel-empowering individuals and enriching lives through intentional hospitality.