"The Door has been an extraordinary partner with the NRF Foundation in expanding access to retail careers to young people in New York City."
WASHINGTON – The NRF Foundation today announced The Door as the 2026 RISE Up Partner of the Year. Presented by Old Navy, the award recognizes the organization for its over two decades of providing retail career training services and its success in implementing the Foundation’s RISE Up training and credentialing program as part of its comprehensive range of youth development programs.
“The Door has been an extraordinary partner with the NRF Foundation in expanding access to retail careers to young people in New York City,” NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie said. “By offering RISE Up, The Door provides its clients with the soft and hard retail skills to be successful on day one.”
“Old Navy joins the NRF Foundation in celebrating the 2026 RISE Up Partner of the Year and we are proud to expand our partnership with The Door in collaboration with the NRF Foundation, rooted in expanding access to opportunity,” Old Navy President and CEO Horacio Barbeito said. “Together, we are unlocking even more on-ramps into retail — an industry that thrives when it invests in the potential of young people.”
Founded in 1972, The Door provides essential services and access to life-changing opportunities to 11,000 New York City young people annually. The Door offers comprehensive programs and services including mental health counseling, health and nutrition assistance, legal services, housing support, arts, education and workforce training — all free of charge and under one roof. In partnership with employers like Old Navy, The Door helps expand access to opportunity by implementing initiatives such as This Way ONward, Old Navy’s signature program, which supports economic mobility through skills training, supportive services and meaningful job opportunities.
“We are honored to be recognized as the RISE Up Partner of the Year. At The Door, we believe every young person deserves the chance to build a strong foundation for their future,” The Door CEO Kelsey Louie said. “By combining RISE Up’s dynamic retail curriculum with our career education programs and comprehensive wraparound supports, we are ensuring that New York City youth not only gain industry-recognized skills and credentials, but also the resources and stability they need to thrive. Together, we are helping young people turn training into opportunity, opening doors to careers across the very retail brands they know and trust.”
The 2026 NRF Foundation RISE Up Partner of the Year will be recognized at the NRF Foundation Honors in New York City on Jan. 11.
More than 60,000 students, 6,000 educators and 3,500 locations nationwide engage with the NRF Foundation RISE Up curriculum each year, introducing retail careers, influencing perceptions of retail jobs and teaching the skills necessary to thrive in retail.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
About NRF Foundation
The NRF Foundation provides the skills and resources needed for a life-changing career. As NRF's nonprofit 501(c)(3), we connect people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Together, we help people build better lives and stronger communities. nrffoundation.org
About The Door
For more than 50 years, The Door has been a trusted provider of youth development services for young people between 12 and 24. All are welcomed as they are, to be themselves, address challenges, and access services when and how they need them. With roots in the heart of New York City and a presence across the boroughs, The Door offers comprehensive programs and services including mental health counseling, health and nutrition assistance, legal services, housing support, arts, education, and career guidance. At The Door, everything is free and everyone is welcome. www.door.org
About Old Navy
Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality products. A brand within San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) portfolio of brands, Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,300 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.
