Wednesday was the day about the business of social justice.
We started our day with visit of Sweet Beginnings that creates employment for formerly incarcerated individuals. During this visit we learned a lot about the way that the company networking, volunteering and mentoring. The main way that company is connecting with people externally is events. It is also a part of volunteering because business people help Sweet Beginning to develop their concept. It was very interesting to know that persons who are working there are doing “intern volunteering”. They believe in Sweet Beginning and they want it to be better and they wants to help people as much as possible, so employees and doing extra, non-paid hours, I think that is shows how important this business is for everybody. Mentoring is part of this local corporation. Mentors are helping new employees to learn how to do honey and body care products, so mentees can go a good job. http://www.sweetbeginningsllc.com/
Sweet Beginnings is situated in one of Chicago neighborhood. It is completely different from downtown. I was very surprised to see a place with a lot of beautiful houses that are abandoned and with all empty and dirty streets.
The same day we mat Jonny Imerman from Imerman Angels. His company is helping to connect people who have cancer and people who are already beat cancer between them. I think that what he is doing is very important and his job and his story very inspired me. Networking and volunteering are in the center of business like this. To find people who need help, Jonny and his team are going to hospitals and talking to doctors and nurses. Another way to network is Imerman Angels tee-shirts, people who are working for this business and their friends are wearing them everywhere, people see it and start to ask questions about Imerman Angels, so more and more people learn about it. For Jonny it is the best way to network. http://www.imermanangels.org/
I think that people who have successful business need to help organizations like Sweet Beginnings and Imerman Angels to develop. This type of business is not about money but about people’s lives, about help and hope. When you help somebody he will help you too, this is a networking and volunteering, sometimes small companies need money to develop their ideas but sometimes they just need someone’s help and time.
Hello Alina,
ReplyDeleteIt’s a very good post!
I just want to know, when you said that successful businesses need help these organizations, do you have an example of some help that they could give?
Thank you for your comment, Alice!
DeleteI think that organizations like Sweet Beginnings and Imerman Angels need financial help of successful businesses to promote what they are doing for people. Also, it can be volunteering, I think that employees of companies can go to hospitals to see people, not only to promote but also to give their time and care.
I totally agree with you Alina, these two organizations are very useful and helpful for people either in lack of skills or who want to have a new start in their life. I was very impressed by the work and the devotion of Jonny Immerman (what a very nice man !) and the SweetBeginnings' staff. Give a lot of their personal time to help others to "rebuilt" them is a wonderful action and a great volunteering work.
ReplyDeleteI think that you can't have another feeling than admiration for people like them.
It was a very interesting day, I really enjoyed it !
Good discussion!
ReplyDeleteYes, ultimately business is as much about social justice as we make it. As Anne Frank wrote: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
It was a wonderful day, discoverer a very good place where they really care about people and where they help. People who work there are motivated and you understand the word volunteering when you are there.
ReplyDeleteWe learnt also with a nice guestspeaker Jonny who told us that you musn't quit in life. He discovered that he had cancer at 26 and he fought it and now he has a wonderful association which helps people who have cancer. They can meet each other and discuss.
I think as you that powerful companies need to help association and small companies who help people.