Business News
Xerox Employee Granted Full-Year Sabbatical to Help Developmentally Disabled in Illinois
Thursday 14. February 2008 - Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) services marketing representative Pierre Zermatten has been selected to take a one-year sabbatical to volunteer full time with Countryside Association, a Chicago-area non-profit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. Based in Palatine, Ill., Countryside will become Zermatten's new office as he continues to receive his full salary and benefits from Xerox.
Xerox granted Zermatten’s leave under the company’s Social Service Leave program, believed to be the oldest of its kind in American business. He is one of six Xerox employees nationwide selected for the 2008 program. This is the first time Zermatten has taken time off to volunteer.
“As a Chicago native, I see Countryside’s clients happily working at businesses all over this community. They have great attitudes. This is an organization that looks out for the best interests of the developmentally disabled by employing them in areas that suit them best,” says Zermatten, 44. “From the moment I began fundraising for Countryside, selling candy boxes to colleagues, I knew I wanted to do more for them.”
Zermatten knew he wanted to help Countryside after his first visit three years ago to the organization’s work program facility. There he saw program attendees collating and organizing mailing materials for a local company.
Zermatten, a 23-year Xerox employee, will coordinate a host of activities to help Countryside receive much-needed funding and corporate support. He plans to develop a capital campaign to help Countryside fund a third site that will offer work program services, and he will help create new marketing and fundraising activities throughout the year. He will also put some of his Xerox technical skills to work to enhance Countryside’s web-site.
“Our funding from the state continues to fall behind the real costs it takes to provide service. We must turn to the private sector to help fund our programs,” says Wayne Kulick, executive director at Countryside. “It is truly a gift to have Pierre dedicated to us for the full year. We will tap into his corporate know-how from Xerox and use it to help Countryside grow.”
Xerox began its Social Service Leave program in 1971 to foster employee involvement and provide special volunteer assistance in communities where Xerox does business. Since then, 481 leaves have been granted. Employees who have been with the company at least five years are eligible to apply for paid leaves of up to one year.
Zermatten is a Chicago-area native and has two grown children. He lives with his wife and children in Palatine. Zermatten previously served as president of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, where he first became acquainted with Countryside.
Countryside offers a variety of support services including vocational training, in-home respite and family support. Founded in 1954, Countryside today serves more than 600 people each year residing throughout Northern Cook and Lake Counties with a rich history of family involvement and program development.