On the eve of his inauguration, President Barack Obama called for a national day of service in honor of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. "It's not a day just to pause and reflect -- it's a day to act," Obama said, before adding that Americans
participated in more than 11,000 service projects across the nation. Obama asked that the nation turn that day's "efforts
into an ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of others in their communities, their cities and their country."
Three months after launching its ImpaX Community Service program, Excella Consulting heeded
President Obama's call to service. On January 19, 2008, Martin Luther King Kr. Day, Excella conducted a half day volunteer
event for Homestretch.
During the event, Excella employees contributed 180 hours of community service to Homestretch. Employees broke up into
seven teams, each team providing an important service in support of the Homestretch mission:
 Four of the teams worked to beautify client classrooms
and organize donated items. Revamped classrooms give Homestretch clients first-rate facilities in which to learn important
life lessons such as personal financial management and career-building skills. Better organization of donated items helps
expedite the process of getting Homestretch families into a new home and out of the streets and shelters.
The remaining three teams cleaned and painted vacant housing
units. Improvement of these vacant housing units is essential to Homestretch's mission. New Homestretch families are elated to
find access to affordable transition housing in their return to self-sufficiency.
At day’s end, Homestretch Executive Director, Christopher Fay told the team that "Excella accomplished in one half day what
would have taken our staff months to do." In its efforts to improve upon its Community Service event coordination Excella surveyed
participants. In response, one employee said "Excella is making a positive impact on our local community. This is the difference
between a good company and a great company," while another said "It's refreshing to be a part of a group of people so excited to
help out others."
Through its ImpaX program, Excella has and will continue to heed President Obama's call for an "ongoing commitment" to
community service.
Click here for pictures of the event. For more information about Homestretch, please visit
www.homestretch-inc.org
|
