Xerox Gives Back To West Haven Youth
August 2, 2011 - Earlier this year, Chicago-based Xerox employee Alex McNulty was awarded a one-year paid social service sabbatical—one out of seven employees to receive the sabbatical nation-wide for 2011. The employees were asked to develop an independent project or work with an existing Non-for-profit organization during their leave, and McNulty choseWest Haven’s Near West Side CDC, where he has been working as a youth coordinator since January. “Near West is proven and the work being done in the community speaks for itself,” McNulty said. “I wanted to align myself with such an organization.”
On July 21st, Xerox continued to give back as McNulty took a group of seven Near West’s Youth In Action kids, ages 10-16, to the Xerox facility in Rosemont for a day of presentations and dialogue between Xerox employees and the West Haven youth. McNulty said it was important for the kids to see how a real business worked. Even more important, he thought, was to demonstrate that people can show unconditional love and support—and this dual message set the tone for the day. During the visit the group met with different departments and a range of Xerox employees who fielded questions the kids had about life and career goals. A blend of senior management and regular staffers, the presenters spoke to the kids about the importance of education, and the direct impact their educations had on their lives. “The stories were not only heartfelt, but passionate,” McNulty said.
The day ended with the kids meeting McNulty’s coworkers of ten years—people he says he considers his extended family—at the Rosemont facility. They greeted the group with hugs and handshakes, and the kids talked about the different Youth In Action programs they were in. McNulty thought the experience was a complete success. The kids left the facility at the end of the day with Xerox Corporation gift bags, but of course, much more.