WASHINGTON – The Global Business Alliance (GBA) has announced Randstad North America as its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Award winner, recognizing the company’s outstanding commitment to local U.S. communities.
“Businesses are uniquely positioned to impact the communities in which they operate, and international companies, like Randstad North America, continue to undertake meaningful initiatives that do so,” said Nancy McLernon, president and CEO of GBA. “This year, we are proud to spotlight Randstad for their incredible commitment to supporting underserved communities in the Atlanta metro area.”
Randstad is a leading global staffing agency and human resources consulting firm with its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently, Atlanta is considered a hub for human trafficking due to the transportation infrastructure and major events that provide easy access to the city’s vulnerable communities.
To address this issue, Randstad developed the Hire Hope program, an initiative that creates futures for women in Atlanta’s underserved communities who are at risk of exploitation through homelessness, human trafficking and domestic violence by providing opportunity through education and employment. The program is delivered across two phases that take place over nine months. Following the completion of Hire Hope, the participants receive placement in family sustaining wage opportunities where Randstad and its community partners offer six months of career transition support.
“In February of 2020, I made the decision to join the Hire Hope program which changed my life in unimaginable ways,” said a 2021 graduate of Hire Hope. “Prior to Hire Hope, I was homeless living in temporary shelters and even sleeping on the train. Joining Hire Hope has not only transformed my work ethic, it has also taught me to believe in myself, despite life’s adversities. Currently, I have gainful employment and I’m living in my own apartment. My daughter and I are forever grateful for the genuine care and kindness that Hire Hope has brought to our lives.”
“Our Hire Hope program exemplifies our commitment to helping women thrive,” said Audra Jenkins, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Executive Sponsor of Hire Hope at Randstad North America. “It provides a transformational opportunity for survivors of homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking to gain skills, coaching, and development to secure stable employment. I am proud of our leaders and volunteers who give their time, passion, and expertise to ensure each woman in our program is successful.”
The CSR Award, which was presented at GBA’s Annual Dinner in Washington D.C., last night, showcases the significant contributions that international companies make to local U.S. communities. Many international companies offer their employees the opportunity to volunteer and help direct the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts. Finalists for this year’s award included several noteworthy initiatives:
- Last year, as part of its effort to support social justice in America and help Black communities and businesses recover from COVID-19, Diageo launched the $20 million Diageo Community Fund. The fund went towards endowments at 25 HBCU’s and community and hospitality recovery funds in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle.
- In 2021, DSM reached 100 percent renewable electricity for its 36 North American sites, reducing its carbon footprint by an additional 50 kilotons.
- Hitachi and the Hitachi High-Tech America’s Inspire STEM Education Outreach Program team developed a free, remote extension to its program to allow for a hands-on experience with a scanning electron microscope for both in-person and virtual learning. The program has had nearly 75,000 participants.
- In response to last year’s social unrest, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield launched a nationwide community Social Justice Campaign that made direct impacts on underserved and minority communities across the United States.
GBA applauds the ongoing efforts by these and other GBA member companies to engage with their communities through innovative programming that meets local needs.
About the Global Business Alliance
As the premier voice of international companies in the United States, the Global Business Alliance (GBA) actively promotes and defends an open economy that welcomes international companies to invest in America. Our members are American companies with global heritage and an indispensable part of our nation’s economic success. When America is open for business, we all benefit. Learn more about how international companies are benefiting U.S. workers and communities by visiting www.globalbusiness.org.