Deloitte Employees “Lend a Hand” to Laura’s House during the 2012 IMPACT Day
Posted on July 2, 2012
More than 20 employees from Deloitte’s Orange County practice pitched in during their annual day of community service to help beautify the Laura’s House transitional housing facility
LADERA RANCH, Calif., June 27, 2012 – Annually, Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, provides emergency shelter and transitional housing services to more than 200 women and children who are rebuilding lives that are free of violence.
To fulfill this mission, Laura’s House relies on members of the local business community for help in providing the vital services it provides. Among its many supporters is Deloitte, which recently hosted a community service project at the Laura’s House transitional housing facility, as part of the 2012 Deloitte IMPACT Day. Held annually, IMPACT Day is a national day of volunteer service, where employees spend the day helping nonprofits, schools and students in their local communities through service projects.
“Our Deloitte employees here in Orange County were delighted to again participate in the community service project for Laura’s House, and it was our pleasure to help the organization in completing several home improvement projects that will now make the facility a more warm and welcoming refuge for families who are rebuilding lives that are free of violence,” said Michelle Kerns, Operations and Community Services Manager, Deloitte Services LP. “By giving our professionals across the globe the opportunity to spend the day engaging within their communities in a wide range of traditional and skill-based projects designed to use our best thinking, we are helping to strengthen local nonprofit organizations like Laura’s House, and build thriving communities.”
As part of the 2012 Deloitte IMPACT Day project for Laura’s House, more than 20 employees from Deloitte's Orange County practice and beyond met at the Laura’s House transitional housing facility on Friday, June 8. There, they helped Laura's House with several household beautification projects that included donating and installing flat screen televisions, along with shelving for a DVD player in one of the rooms; donating and installing area rugs and welcome mats; re-covering six dining room chairs with new fabric; donating and installing garage racks; and, organizing the garage and other areas of the facility. The Deloitte employees also helped Laura’s House plant and establish a sustainable vegetable garden as part of their ongoing IMPACT Day greening initiative, so that clients can grow and harvest their own vegetables.
“We are honored to have been selected by Deloitte as a beneficiary of its 2012 IMPACT Day, and grateful for their passion, commitment and friendship with our organization,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and executive director, Laura’s House. “By continuing to engage their employees in community service to Laura’s House, Deloitte is helping us to build greater awareness for our efforts to end the cycle of domestic violence here in our community. We are grateful for their contributions, and hope that their efforts will be an inspiration to other local businesses and individuals who desire to make a difference in our community.”
The Laura’s House transitional housing facility was purchased in 2011 by Laura’s House as part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign; $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. Laura’s House is currently in the Public Phase of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, and welcomes the community’s support through the many public naming opportunities that are available starting at $100 for painted wall tiles and pavers featuring a personal message of inspiration that will be incorporated into the new landscape at the facility. Other naming opportunities include pots and planters for the garden; trellis features that will provide the multi-dwelling complex with peace and privacy; and, a fountain water feature that will bring calm and tranquility to the entrance.
More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org.
About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign
The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently served as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Laura Khouri, Wayne Pinnell, Kurt Ross, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken.
More information on the Cornerstone Campaign can be found at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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