Business News
Xerox Puts a Face (Actually Seven) on Effort to Help Non- Profit Organizations through Paid Sabbaticals
Monday 07. February 2011 - Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) today announced it will grant fully-paid leaves of absence for seven employees in 2011 to assist community organizations. As part of the company's Social Service Leave program, the employees will use their professional skills and expertise to work full-time for non-profits in their communities.
According to a recent survey by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, 78 percent of human service nonprofits and 68 percent of charities overall saw demand for assistance rise in 2010. The agency predicts that charities will be hard-pressed in 2011 to secure funding for growing needs.
“The Social Service Leave program is just one of the many ways Xerox people give back every day,” said Ursula Burns, Xerox chairman and chief executive officer. “The nonprofit organization receives a much-needed skilled resource and our people are given an opportunity to enable social change in their own community.”
Each of the following recipients submitted a plan to assist a charity in their local community and was chosen by a peer group within Xerox.
Social Service Leave grantees for 2011:
Jocelyn N. Bourgault, Portland, Ore., to Hacienda Community Development Corporation. As a member of its operations team, she will strengthen the organization’s administrative processes.
Stephen J. Brown, Elizabethtown, Ky., to Boy Scouts of America. He will work with economically disadvantaged youth in urban and rural areas.
Joseph F. Cirimele, Stockton, Calif., to San Joaquin Office of Education Foundation. With help from students in county education programs, he will turn a greenhouse in disrepair into a profitable business.
Tessie S. Ernst, Elk Grove, Calif., to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Tessie will help fundraise and organize events to help increase the volunteer base.
Paul J. McAnnally-Linz, Monrovia, Calif., to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. Paul will work as a weekend crew leader, training volunteers as well as offering support to boost material donations, in-kind services and funding.
Alex L. McNulty, Bolingbrook, Ill., to the Near West Side Community Development Corporation. Alex will develop, implement and enhance the programs offered to the area’s youth.
Freddi P. Vaughn, Pikesville, Md., to Christmas in April of Prince George’s County. Freddi will support marketing, fundraising and grant activities as well as develop a warehouse inventory system.
Social Service Leave at Xerox began in 1971 and was born out of the desire of Xerox people to give back to their communities as well as the need of service organizations to receive more support from business and industry. It is believed to be the oldest program of its kind where an employee takes the initiative not only to apply for the leave but to create the project focus and goals. To be eligible for the program, employees must be in good standing and have been employed by the company for at least five years. Xerox employees on leave receive full pay, and will return to their same or equivalent job upon their return to Xerox. To date, 481 Xerox employees have taken part in the Social Service Leave program.