THE IMPACT OF A NATIONAL COMMITMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
Wells Fargo has a long legacy as a national supporter of United Way and for the past 10 years, has been the number one workplace giving campaign at the national level. The company, through its business and foundation, uses its resources and expertise to solve complex societal problems and foster stability and financial success for underserved communities.
Through their generous support of United Way of Greater Union County, communities across Union County have benefited from their long standing and deep commitment to our mutual values. Employees at Wells Fargo participate in annual workplace campaigns and other giving initiatives in support of our mission and vision to strengthen our community.
However, their contribution extends well beyond philanthropic efforts. Wells Fargo’s Tomas Porturas, Community Relations Vice President for Northern New Jersey, answered our request to help introduce a few basic principles in managing personal finances to high school students at the Plainfield Family Success Center in Plainfield, NJ, and the Hillside Family Success Center in Hillside, NJ. The students were participants in our Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP) and as part of its financial literacy component, volunteers from Wells Fargo presented their knowledge and expertise to youth in areas such as budgeting finances, saving money, opening bank accounts and financially preparing for college.
Its important for the youth in our community and around the world to understand and receive financial literacy education. Understanding financial literacy will [help] support life choices, such as spending habits, managing credit appropriately as credit is needed for many things in life and as simple as how much a person need to save in order to survive in the event of a financial emergency.” -Theany Mateo, Branch Manager, Westminster Ave, Elizabeth, NJ
Wells Fargo tailored the workshops to be engaging, interactive and easy to understand, encouraging students to think about real-world experiences such as saving to buy a car or renting an apartment. Approximately 175 high school students benefited from Wells Fargo’s help and their impact continues to grow with each passing year. We are grateful for their support.
Pictured above: L to R: Wells' Fargo's Theany Mateo, Branch Manager, Westminster Ave branch in Elizabeth; Tomas Porturas, Community Relations Vice President for Northern New Jersey; and Deylis Linares, Newark Ave. Branch in Elizabeth
EMPHASIZING COMMUNITY IN CAMPAIGN GIVING
We are grateful for corporate partners like Freeport-McMoRan Bayway Operations who partner in our fight to help provide tangible resources for vulnerable Union County residents. Employees at the manufacturing and designing of copper/copper alloy products located in Elizabeth are long time campaign givers. During the 2018-2019 year, employees collectively increased their support by 280% from the previous fiscal year.
“By focusing on things our employees care about in our local community, it gets them really interested and engaged. We really emphasize that this is our community- these are our neighbors and they need our help and we have gotten a great response. At the end of a successful campaign, we emphasize to the employees that you did this, and we are all really proud of what we can accomplish together to help our community.” said Michele Sampson, Human Resources Manager
The company also participated in our Back to School and Holiday Day Wishes drives providing ready-to-learn backpacks filled with school supplies and fulfilling the wishes of holiday gifts for children in Union County.
L to R: Freeport McMoRan employees William Geissel, Plant Manager, Arvind Ravi, Project Engineer, Michele Sampson, Human Resource Manager, Amelia Hewko, Senior Customer Service Representative, Byron Light, Environmental Engineer, Michael Pahira, Senior Buyer
THE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY BANK
For over 20 years, Roselle Bank has supported our efforts to help strengthen the lives of children and families in Union County. For several years, the community bank with a huge heart has held collection drives that provided canned goods and other non-perishable foods for needy families during the Thanksgiving season. Roselle Bank were sponsors of our Back to School drive, helping to provide students with ready-to-learn backpacks and, also supported the YEPP Program, an initiative that focuses on providing at-risk youth with the necessary tools to graduate high school and secure livable wage jobs. We are proud and grateful for Roselle Bank’s continuous partnership and for their dedication to the co
mmunities they serve.
Roselle Bank employees in the community Hilary Vasconez (middle) and Ruth Rivera (right)