Employee Q&A: Sustaining Local Communities Through Volunteerism
Owens Corning's 2023 Sustainability Report spotlights Gisela Martinez, a Senior Administrative Associate known for her extensive volunteer work. Since joining the company as an intern in 2017, Gisela has led numerous community engagement initiatives, particularly in response to crises like the Mexico City earthquake. Her efforts have not only provided immediate relief but have also fostered long-term community support.
The report highlights the 'Volunteer of the Year' award given to Gisela in 2023, recognizing her contributions to vulnerable children and disaster victims. Owning to her leadership, Owens Corning has seen increased employee participation in volunteer activities, especially through diverse programs that cater to different interests.
Gisela emphasizes the integration of community engagement with sustainability, asserting that true sustainability involves benefiting local communities. Owens Corning's initiatives include donating insulation materials and organizing various volunteer activities, which have been instrumental in enhancing employee involvement and fulfillment.
- Gisela Martinez's leadership in volunteerism has been recognized with the 'Volunteer of the Year' award.
- Owens Corning's community engagement initiatives have significantly increased employee participation in volunteer activities.
- Introduction of diverse volunteer programs catering to different interests has enhanced employee involvement.
- Volunteer activities have had a meaningful impact on vulnerable children and disaster victims.
- Donating insulation materials has fostered a sense of fulfillment among employees.
- The press release does not provide concrete data on the financial or business impact of the volunteer initiatives.
- Lack of specific metrics makes it hard to evaluate the overall effectiveness and ROI of the volunteer programs.
- Potential risks of over-reliance on volunteerism for corporate social responsibility without addressing core business sustainability practices.
Gisela Martinez, Senior Administrative Associate
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 30, 2024 / Our people making a difference is a series featured throughout Owens Corning's 2023 Sustainability Report.
Since high school, Gisela Martinez has been actively volunteering in her community. She joined Owens Corning as an intern in 2017, and she brought her passion for service to her role almost immediately when Mexico City, Mexico, was struck by an earthquake. Gisela helped lead her co-workers into action, providing food, clothing, and more. Upon moving into her current role, she has continued to lead the way in volunteerism, bringing people together to help in meaningful ways in Mexico City and beyond.
On our human approach to corporate citizenship
Owens Corning is always trying to reach as many people as possible, and that is achievable with all the fantastic people that volunteer. I personally always try to help more people every year as an objective. We care about the people we're giving back to and how we are impacting their lives. When the Community Engagement team came to Mexico City in 2023 to present the Volunteer of the Year award, they were able to see how our contributions have helped many girls in vulnerable situations, or children suffering terminal cancer, or a 13-year-old who arrived at the Hummingbird House in an unresponsive state who now is able to walk, talk in English, and enjoy being a kid again. That's why I always suggest taking some extra time to visit the associations you're benefiting with your work and donations, so you'll see firsthand how you are making the world - and their world - a better place.
On the ways community engagement fits with sustainability
I believe that there's no way a company can claim to be sustainable without benefiting the people around them and showing them our value as a neighbor and a socially responsible citizen. That's why it's important to include community engagement and giving back to our community in our approach to sustainability, as this is bringing us closer to our aspirations as a company.
On engaging employees at the plant level
In Mexico and Latin America, we all do informal volunteering - helping people around us in our community, like relatives, neighbors, or victims of a natural disaster. But when we ask people in operations to come and volunteer in a formal system, it can be hard for them. We offer more diverse programs so people will have something to engage with. If they don't feel close to a certain cause, they always have different options, and they're welcome to bring new projects to the table. I always tell them to try it once and if they don't like it, hopefully there is going to be something else they are interested in. Now, after six years of running this, I have people asking me when they're going to be able to volunteer again. This year, we've been seeing more participation from people in the plant because we've been offering more activities on weekends. Also, we donate our own insulation materials, and our co-workers love to see where the material they make is going. When they see the faces of the people who benefit from their hard work, they get even more engaged.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Owens Corning on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Owens Corning
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/owens-corning
Email: info@3blmedia.com
SOURCE: Owens Corning
View the original press release on accesswire.com
FAQ
What volunteer initiatives has Owens Corning undertaken in 2023?
Who received Owens Corning's 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2023?
How has Owens Corning increased employee participation in volunteer activities?
What impact have Owens Corning's community engagement activities had?
How does Owens Corning integrate community engagement with its sustainability goals?
