On March 1, Alorica Inc. recapped key results from its 2020 corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including the formation of its newest global social impact program, TIDE (Together for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity).
Employee-led donations have topped $6.5 million in the past five years since its inception, according to the company’s nonprofit partner, Making Lives Better with Alorica (MLBA).
In 2020, its achievements included raising $867,000 in monetary donations to support 68 charity nonprofits; awarding 924 grants totaling over $527,000 in support of housing, medical and utility costs, charity programs, funeral expenses and necessities, such as groceries and related essentials; and donating more than $73,000 in assistance to more than 400 families during disaster such as Hurricane Iota and COVID-19 among others.
In addition, in September Alorica introduced its newest global social impact program, TIDE, which enables employees at all levels to create awareness, share experiences and develop creative solutions to address social issues in local communities.
Alorica also propelled its sustainable business practices in 2020, including the expansion of its work-at-home solution, Alorica Anywhere, aggressively reducing the company’s global carbon footprint.
“We will continue our CSR initiatives in philanthropy, led largely by the generosity of our employees around the world who make MLBA possible,” said Joyce Lee, chief culture officer, Alorica and president, MLBA. “People, with a special emphasis on the ongoing development of Alorica’s diversity, equity and inclusion program; and the Planet, centered around sustainability, reducing carbon footprint and cutting waste to protect the environment.”
To Innovation and Beyond
Funding for this year’s Innovative Grants Program is made possible by corporate donations from Edison International, PPG Foundation and  Schools First Federal Credit Union.
Grant projects awarded include innovation labs, robotics technology, media equipment, literacy app, virtual reality, and musical instruments.
“Although this year has presented many challenges for the teaching community, we were so impressed by the level in creativity and innovation this year’s participants brought forth in their grant submissions,” said Neda Eaton, president and CEO, IPSF. “We are thankful to our community and sponsors who help make these grants possible for our students.”
On a Mission
The Free Wheelchair Mission safely delivered wheelchairs to more than 55,000 individuals and their families in 28 different countries worldwide in 2020, despite the disruptions in delivery and increased shipping costs caused by the coronavirus.
The organization credits the generosity of donors including ACCO, Foam-It, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation a​​​​nd Investors Management Corp.
In addition, as Free Wheelchair Mission pivoted from in-person to virtual events, sponsors such as Capital Group, Farmers & Merchants Bank, loanDepot and PR Construction pledged their support, helping ensure success.
In addition, loanDepot donated $100,000 to the Free Wheelchair Mission’s efforts, enabling the donation of 1,250 wheelchairs to those in need throughout the world.
“We are honored to support a few of our key partner nonprofits that are doing amazing work,” said Dan Hanson, executive director, distributed retail, loanDepot, in a December news release. “Even in difficult times, the pandemic has not stopped Free Wheelchair Mission from continuing to give the gifts of hope, dignity, and independence that come with each wheelchair provided to those living with disabilities.”
Endowed With Hope
The Nicholas Endowment, established in 2002 by Henry T. Nicholas III, co-founder of Broadcom, and Stacey Nicholas, recently donated $100,000 to Break Through San Juan Capistrano (BTSJC), an organization that strives to break the cycle of poverty by serving students from underrepresented backgrounds starting in middle school and lasting through college.
“Breakthrough SJC, as the name implies, is truly a transformational experience. It has a proven track record of putting students from underrepresented backgrounds on a trajectory for a successful college experience,” said Claudia Sangster, founder and president, C. Sangster LLC who serves as trustee and board chair, Nicholas Endowment. “The Nicholas Endowment is honored to partner with the BTSJC team on this worthy endeavor.”
In addition to the donation, the Nicholas Endowment is a longtime supporter of BTSJC and has contributed to many of the organization’s efforts, including a virtual program designed to reduce student loneliness among middle-schoolers and the purchase of laptop computers for the students BTSJC serves.
Bits & Pieces
The Boeing Co. presented Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a $50,000 grant, to provide qualifying schools or organizations with access to the Segerstrom Center’s Education Department Arts Teach program and its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion classes, workshops, and residencies at a free or reduced cost. … Waymakers, a nonprofit organization that builds safer communities by helping individuals make their way through conflict and crisis to a place of strength and stability, has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Croul Family Foundation to support its Youth Shelter Program. … After 31 years of service, Jerri Rosen, founder of Working Wardrobes, which has helped more than 110,000 clients overcome challenges on the journey to employment, including substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, homelessness and military to civilian transition, is stepping down from her position in order to pursue more hands-on ways to help other nonprofit organizations.
