Whirlpool EMEA and Habitat for Humanity renew partnership in Poland
Warsaw (November 26, 2015) – All set for Every Day, Care, the social responsibility campaign promoted by Whirlpool Corporation in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit housing organization that works to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world. The inspiration behind the campaign is to ensure young people can continue both their social reintegration process and vocational training with social worker supervision for two to three years, thereby filling the gap between state care and independent lives. The project envisages financial support, employee volunteering and home appliances in efforts to adapt an unused attic space in Warsaw.
Starting from today, 25 Whirlpool EMEA employees – 12 from Warsaw headquarters and from the Lodz, Radomsko and Wroclaw sites and 13 from Italy, Great Britain, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, France, Germany, Spain and South Africa – will put their regular work schedules on hold for three days to volunteer at the builds of new apartments, which will be ready by spring 2016, for vulnerable young orphans and youngsters leaving juvenile justice residential facilities.
“In line with our tradition of caring for people and our commitment to maintain strong connections in the communities where we do business, this year we have the opportunity to take part in Every Day, Care in Poland, one of our most important markets,” said Alessandro Magnoni, Senior Director EMEA Communications and Government Relations of Whirlpool. “With the support of Habitat For Humanity we aim to create affordable, social rental apartments for vulnerable young orphans and youngsters leaving juvenile justice residential facilities”.
The team of volunteers will carry materials, plaster, install pipes, insulate walls, lay floors and paint to create rotational apartments, which will be entirely furnished with Whirlpool home appliances, for seven vulnerable young people at preferential rental terms.
“I am happy and satisfied husband and father. Last days we finish renovation of one of our room in the flat where I live with my family. Now there is the time to help other people which have had less happiness in life than me,” says Tomasz Wyszyński from the Lodz site. “I want to share my happiness with other, so I want to help, let they have good place to start new better life. It’s a great opportunity to realize my thankfulness.
I would like to enter in Whirlpool community not only with open mind but also with open hands”.
“Habitat for Humanity’s mission is taking action for providing decent places to live for all people, but in particular, providing support for people at risk of housing exclusion. This group includes young people about to leave childcare centres, because it is very hard for them to afford accommodation. Our aim is to create a model system of so-called „aided accommodation“, which will help seven young people to become independent. If this support model proves effective, we are going to promote this solution in other regions. We are happy that our actions have been for years supported by Whirlpool,” says Małgorzata Salamon, director of Habitat for Humanity Poland.
Since the partnership between Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity International began in 1999, more than 85,000 families in 45 countries worldwide have been helped with Every Day, Care. In more than fifteen years of partnership thousands of Whirlpool employees are not only regularly joining the volunteering efforts and thus helping to build new homes worldwide but are also part of employee giving activities in various areas such as disaster response.
The partnership was brought to the Europe, Middle East and Africa region in 2004 and has helped more than 75,000 families gain a new or improved home and has supported housing projects in 37 countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. Whirlpool’s product engagement donated more than 1,100 appliances to families in need. Over 1,000 Whirlpool employees volunteered their time and spent 21,404 hours of selfless work within EMEA.
About Whirlpool’s CSR
Whirlpool Corporation has always been committed to social responsibility activities aimed at providing a support to all the territories in which it operates that goes beyond only economic and manufacturing contributions. In 2015 the Group ranked among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens companies according to the Corporate Responsibility Magazine having obtained high scores in the categories: Human Rights, Relationship with Employees, Corporate Governance and Philanthropic Works. The Reputation Institute included Whirlpool Corporation among the 2015 100 Global RepTrak, a list ranking the 100 most appreciated companies in 15 countries.
About Whirlpool Europe, Middle East & Africa
With approximately 24,000 employees, a sales presence in more than 30 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa and manufacturing sites in eight countries, Whirlpool EMEA is an operating segment of Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately 20 billion in annual sales, 100,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers throughout the world in 2014. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in more than 170 countries. Whirlpool Corp.’s European Operations Centers are located in Comerio (VA), Italy. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit www.habitatemea.org.