Whittier, CA, June 8, 2009 – The Salvation Army’s
Whittier/Santa Fe Springs Transitional Living Center will receive a
much-deserved facelift on Thursday, June 25. More than 150 employees
from ARAMARK, a global provider of professional services, will dedicate
their time, energy and talents to enhance the indoor and outdoor campus
at 12000 East Washington Blvd. in Whittier.
The day of service is
part of ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide initiative launched
in 2008 that fosters long-term support for local community centers in
more than 25 cities. The Whittier/Santa Fe Springs center is part of
The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division and provides a safe
and healing refuge for families who have recently experienced a time of
major personal crisis.
“ARAMARK has always been committed to
our communities and through ARAMARK Building Community we are
strengthening this commitment year after year,” said Brad Drummond,
president ARAMARK Uniform Services and local ARAMARK Building Community
executive sponsor. “Our support of The Salvation Army here in Southern
California leverages the diverse work skills of our employees to make a
real and sustained difference for families in need.”
The
Salvation Army’s Whittier/Santa Fe Springs campus will receive a
substantial transformation, including the creation of a large-scale
inspirational mural on an exterior wall. Other projects include
painting a variety of murals for six rooms throughout the facility,
construction of storage units, shelves and benches, and landscaping the
outside area with new flower beds.
“Little details make a huge
difference in the lives of our residents and the ARAMARK volunteers’
enhancements will certainly help brighten and make a huge difference at
the center,” said Lt. Col. Victor A. Leslie, The Salvation Army
Southern California Divisional Commander. “This event and partnership
with ARAMARK Building Community couldn’t come at a better time for us.
The center provides services free of charge to our residents, funded
through community donations, so the day’s projects will add much-needed
services to the center that would not have happened without the
generosity and support of ARAMARK.”
The Salvation Army’s
Whittier/Santa Fe Springs transitional living program serves as the
primary transitional living program for homeless mothers and their
children who are victims of domestic violence and/or substance abuse in
Southeast Los Angeles County. The program provides comprehensive
education and vocational training for adults and children, ultimately
leading to permanent employment and independent housing. In 2008, 54
families (146 adults and children) received general assistance and
comprehensive in-house services from the center.
ARAMARK
employees will work side-by-side with City Year Los Angeles, a group
dedicated to engaging youth in full-time community service and
ARAMARK’s volunteerism partner, on the 29 enhancement projects taking
place that day.
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 noted that providing basic
needs such as food and clothing, affordable childcare and preschool,
job training and after school programs are the most important services
that community centers offer.
This project is one of several
initiatives that ARAMARK is undertaking throughout the Los Angeles area
with the Salvation Army. Last year, ARAMARK volunteers revitalized the
Salvation Army Red Shield Youth and Community Center, and during the
2008 holiday season, ARAMARK provided Thanksgiving dinner with all the
trimmings to more than 1,000 families in the Pico Union neighborhood
near downtown Los Angeles. Throughout 2009, ARAMARK plans on hosting
career fairs and workforce readiness seminars, among other activities.
*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.
About ARAMARK
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.
Contacts:
Bev Dribin, ARAMARK
(215) 238-8267 (direct)
Dribin-bev@aramark.com
Krystin Williamson, Allison & Partners
(619) 533-7974 (direct)
Krystin@allisonpr.com