April 14, 2009 08:00 AM Eastern
Daylight Time
ARAMARK
Building Community Increases Commitment to Philadelphia-Area Community Centers
More
Than 300 ARAMARK Employee Volunteers to Give Much-Needed Facelift to the
Lutheran Settlement House and the North Light Community Center
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two Philadelphia community
centers will receive a much-deserved face-lift on April 24. More than
300 employees of ARAMARK, a global provider of professional services, will
dedicate their time, energy and talents to enhance the facilities at the
Lutheran Settlement House (1340 Frankford Avenue) and North Light Community
Center (183 Green Lane).
The
day of service is part of ARAMARKs ongoing partnership with the Federation of
Neighborhood Centers (formerly called the Greater Philadelphia Federation of
Settlements), whose 15 member community centers support 45 Philadelphia neighborhoods. The partnership, which was launched in 2008,
is part of ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide initiative that
fosters long-term support for local community centers in more than 25 cities.
ARAMARK
Building Community allows our employees to use their diverse talents
outside of their daily jobs to strengthen the community in a meaningful way,
said Joseph Neubauer, chairman and chief executive
officer of ARAMARK. I couldnt be more proud of the amazing results our
employees are achieving here in Philadelphia and around the world.
A
recent study found that 61 percent of Americans believe that in the current
economic climate, community centers play a more essential role than ever*.
Respondents note that providing basic needs like food and clothing, affordable
childcare and preschool, job training and after school programs are the most
important services that community centers offer. The Lutheran Settlement House
and North Light Community Center both provide these valuable services and more
to many of Philadelphias working class and lower-income neighborhoods.
The
Lutheran Settlement House will receive two new clothing and supply rooms for
their clients, while the North Light Community Centers existing computer lab
will be turned into a workforce development room. At both centers, ARAMARK
volunteers will also refurbish and landscape outdoor garden areas by building
vegetable beds, picnic tables, and mural benches. In addition, they will paint
inspirational murals, host a childrens book drive, and build bookshelves for
newly donated childrens books.
City
Year Greater Philadelphia, a group dedicated to engaging youth in full-time
community service and ARAMARKs volunteerism partner, will work side-by-side
with ARAMARK employees on the 62 enhancement projects taking place that day.
Todays
current economic landscape places even more importance on community centers who
are on the front lines in addressing some of our nations most pressing social
issues poverty, education, joblessness, obesity, youth development and caring
for seniors, said Diane Cornman-Levy, executive
director of the Federation of Neighborhood Centers. In Philadelphia, more than
100,000 individuals and families rely on our centers for these basic support
services and many are in desperate need of improvements and expertise in
nutrition, workforce readiness and basic human services − areas in which
ARAMARK continues to provide us with lasting assistance.
This
day of service is one of several initiatives that ARAMARK and the Federation of
Neighborhood Centers began to introduce in 2008. The two organizations are also
working together to develop programs to help connect people to jobs and to
educate them about how to live a healthier lifestyle. Key initiatives will
include job shadow days for high school students, quarterly job fairs, a family
health and wellness fair (June 6) and nutrition workshops (spring and fall), as
well as food and clothing drives throughout the year.
About
Federation of Neighborhood Centers
The
Federation of Neighborhood Centers (Federation) was created in 1906 to help
build stronger neighborhoods by strengthening families and civic life. Its
mission is achieved by working with member agencies - a network of 15
community-based anchor institutions that collectively provide culturally
sensitive programs and services to more than 100,000 children, youth, adults
and families in 45 neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia per year. Learn more
at the Federations website, www.federationnc.org.
About
ARAMARK Building Community
ARAMARK
Building Community enriches the lives of families in need by supporting
local community centers to help people of all generations learn, earn and
thrive. ARAMARK recognizes the important role community centers play in
addressing the comprehensive needs of individuals and families and is providing
a range of resources including grants, volunteers and in-kind contributions.
Through ARAMARK Building Community, volunteers will use their expertise
to help youth and adults develop critical, employable work skills and connect
them to career opportunities; support families with nutrition and wellness
education; provide basic needs such as food and clothing; and help identified
partners run cleaner, safer and more efficient facilities to enhance and
strengthen the Centers programs on an ongoing basis.
About
ARAMARK Corporation
ARAMARK
is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services,
facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care
institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and
businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2009 list of "World's
Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry,
consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies
in its industry as evaluated by peers and analysts. ARAMARK seeks to
responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and
communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health
and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK
has approximately 260,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more
at the company's website, www.aramark.com.
*The
study was conducted for ARAMARK via telephone by International Communications
Research, an independent research company. Interviews were conducted November
7-11, 2008 among a representative sample of 1017 adults aged 18 years or older.
The margin of error is +/-3.07% at the 95% confidence level. More information
about ICR can be obtained by visiting www.icrsurvey.com.
Contacts
ARAMARK
Contact:
ARAMARK Corporation
Bev Dribin
(215) 238-8267 (direct)
Dribin-bev@aramark.com
or
Media Contact:
Allison & Partners
Emily Donohue
(646) 428-0622 (direct)
(805) 260-6401 (cell) ON-SITE
emily@allisonpr.com
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