In 2008, Randstad Canada launched the Randstad Canada Charitable Foundation to strengthen our commitment to social responsibility. Today, the foundation is a crucial part of our goal of touching the lives of over 500 million people around the globe by 2030. While this lofty goal will be challenging to achieve, we remain committed to supporting Canadian and global talent. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s just how important corporate partnerships with nonprofit organizations and charities are.
We classify our charitable goals into three primary categories, including:
- skill-building support to ensure all workers have the skills and tools necessary to reach their full potential
- workforce integration support that provides equal employment opportunities to those who have been most marginalized in the job market
- early education support to make sure all children obtain the necessary STEM and digital skills to improve future outcomes despite their economic situation
application-based grants
A major initiative for 2019 was the introduction of our application-based grant process. This allows organizations throughout Canada to apply for grants based on specific needs. These new application-based grants work in conjunction with our employee nomination process already in place. This combination enables our team to identify and partner with the most deserving organizations that closely match our corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
over $300,000 raised by employees in 2019
Our desire to give back to our communities in Canada doesn’t stop at our corporate level, it also filters into all levels of our workforce. This commitment is clearly visible as our employees, through a variety of fundraising strategies, raised an incredible $310,711 in 2019. 72% of these funds were distributed to over 20 worthy charitable organizations selected by our employees.
volunteering at its best
Randstad employees not only raised funds for our communities, they also donated their time and talents. Through our Randstad with Heart program, our employees gave countless hours volunteering at organizations and fundraising events throughout the year. Our employees participated in everything from packing lunch boxes at the soup kitchen to running a fundraising marathon to helping out at local shelters.
randstad’s charitable partners
There are several stand-out organizations we had the pleasure of partnering with, including:
• cuso international
With an effort to reduce poverty and inequality in the most at-risk communities across the globe, Cuso International is committed to helping people of all nationalities and economic levels realize their full potential. We are proud our partnership with Cuso International has enabled us to send employees to several at-risk communities in Cameroon, Jamaica and Tanzania. In addition to the 10,800 hours of volunteer work our employees provided, we also raised more than $7,500 to support this important organization.
• the breakfast club of canada
The Breakfast Club of Canada (BCC) provides nutritious meals to at-risk students throughout the country in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and improve educational outcomes. Last year, BCC provided over 250,000 breakfast meals to students in more than 1,800 Canadian schools. Not only has Randstad donated nearly $115,000 to BCC,our employees also donated countless volunteer hours preparing breakfasts and serving students in communities near them.
• jennifer ashleigh children’s charity
The Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity (JACC) provides emergency and ongoing support to children throughout Ontario facing chronic illnesses. JACC assists with everything from financial support to meeting families’ basic needs so they have a safety net to enhance their child’s developmental and physical well-being. The Randstad Canada Charitable Foundation, along with our employees, donated more than $56,000 to JACC. Additionally, our staff members participated in numerous fundraisers and special events, such as the lunch-and-learn program.
• ride for myriam
Randstad participants in the 2019 Ride for Myriam event raised an amazing $140,000 for cancer research. This year’s donations went directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, which is one of the leading cancer research centres in the country. This is our sixth year holding this annual event, and we look forward to continuing the tradition with future editions of Ride for Myriam.
• women transforming the workplace program
Our team at Randstad Canada is proud of our Women Transforming the Workplace program, which helps tear down barriers and eliminate biases to promote gender equality throughout the Canadian workforce. Through a series of white papers, stories and podcasts, our team provides organizations with the tools and insights they need to strengthen their gender equality hiring and workplace practices and to create strong and diverse workforces led by women.
a peek into the future of randstad’s social responsibility commitment
Randstad Canada is committed to analyzing and adjusting our charitable goals and activities on an annual basis to maximize our CSR practices. In 2019, we awarded application-based grants to eight worthy organizations, including Actua Canada, Breakfast Club of Canada, Autism Speaks Canada, and Youth Employment Services.
Additionally, Randstad Canada will continue to accept employee recommendations and encourage our staff at all levels of the organization to give back to their communities by participating in fundraising activities and donating their time and talents through volunteering activities.
Making a commitment to corporate social responsibility not only helps to strengthen nonprofit organizations, but it can also improve customer loyalty, boost employee engagement and even increase profits within your company.