Don't take our word for it. Hear what representatives from several of the organizations that we support had to say about how Guardian's support enables them to make a difference in the lives of many individuals and families.
"The partnership that exists between Guardian and Rebuilding Together Fox Valley helps low-income homeowners who are either seniors or disabled stay independent, safe and warm in their own homes. Our homeowners have a great deal of pride in the fact that they own their homes, which for the most part, they have lived in for over 30 years, raising their families, making memories, and starting traditions. Often the homeowner is the surviving spouse in a long-term marriage, and the thought of losing their home is devastating. The money donated by Guardian helps Rebuilding Together Fox Valley prevent this nightmare. In some of our homes, the modifications are as simple as installing hand rails or widening doorways and changing locks on doors. The support from Guardian has helped us to fund these modifications, and the effects are so far reaching. We hear from family members, neighbors, and of course, from very grateful homeowners. In the words of a daughter of someone we helped, "What an amazing gift for our family at this difficult time in our parents' lives. We are grateful beyond words." We at Rebuilding Together Fox Valley echo that sentiment."
Kate Dugan
Executive Director
Rebuilding Together Fox Valley
"There are thousands of low-income families in New York City who are doing everything right: working two to three jobs to make ends meet, saving for their children's education, and helping elderly parents through tough times. But often these families are living in devastating housing conditions. They are doubled- and tripled-up in small spaces. Many are living in dangerous buildings and units that are not safely maintained and may have been built with unsafe materials. Guardian, through its volunteer program and support, helps to provide these families with safe, green, affordable homes that will forever change the trajectory of their lives.
Besides the obvious benefit of providing a new home to low-income families who have resided in overcrowded and dangerous conditions, there are other, less obvious benefits that Habitat for Humanity homeownership has for our family partners and for the communities where we build with Guardian:
Financial impact – by giving first-time homebuyers a homeownership opportunity, we're helping families build equity
Educational effect - children in Habitat families have been found to perform better in school after moving into their new Habitat home
Physical improvement – by moving into affordable green Habitat homes, family members have been found to suffer less illnesses caused by unsafe housing conditions, such as childhood asthma
The vast majority of the families we help count building and owning their own homes as "one of the proudest accomplishments of their life"
Community Impact – by bringing thousands of volunteers who buy coffee, supplies, and lunch into a community, a Habitat for Humanity construction project injects millions of dollars directly into community businesses"
Josh Lockwood
Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity - New York City
"Guardian's generous support of Harbor House's Shelter Program makes it possible for more abused women to take the first step toward self-sufficiency. For many women, the choice to leave an abusive relationship boils down to whether they can financially support themselves and, if applicable, their children. Our Shelter Program ensures domestic abuse victims a safe place where they not only can begin to heal, but by working with advocates, they also learn about the options available to them in terms of finding affordable housing and child care, along with either securing a job or obtaining job training or education toward a long-term career. We are extremely grateful to Guardian for recognizing that our programming offers domestic abuse victims hope for a safer, more stable future."
Beth Schnorr
Executive Director
Harbor House
"Creating awareness and generating funds for a disease like multiple sclerosis (MS) can be difficult. MS is a complex disease that not many people understand, and, consequently, it simply doesn't get the attention it deserves. Guardian is helping us change that. Through Guardian's longstanding commitment to our Walk MS (www.walk4ms.org) event in Allentown, the company is raising essential funds and getting more people involved in the movement to create a world free of MS. It is companies like Guardian that give the 400,000 Americans living with MS hope for a better tomorrow.
John H. Scott
President
Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National MS Society
"Berkshire South Regional Community Center's mission is to build community and common purpose in the Southern Berkshires of Massachusetts. Berkshire Life has been a strong supporter of the resources necessary for us to ensure quality programs for people of all abilities. Through Berkshire Life's support, we have expanded our reach and strengthened our impact in ways that may not have otherwise been possible. The corporate backing we have received has been central to strengthening our programs and services while serving those with the greatest need in our community. We are extremely grateful for Berkshire Life's generosity and dedication to the community."
Eliza Crescentini
Executive Director
Berkshire South Regional Community Center
"Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is committed to fighting sub-standard housing and enabling lower-income families and individuals to enjoy the benefits of owning a home. By making simple, decent housing affordable we help these families achieve their dream of home ownership and enrich their respective communities. Fulfilling our mission would not be possible without responsible corporate involvement by companies such as Guardian. In pursuing our goals, we have turned to corporate patrons to provide much-needed funding and support, and Guardian has clearly been there for us. We cherish our relationships with community-minded corporations like Guardian."
John Weyenberg
Executive Director/ President
Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
"The Pediatric Development Center in Pittsfield, MA is an early intervention program offering therapy and educational services to infants and toddlers who have developmental disabilities, or are at risk for developing difficulties due to certain birth or environmental factors. The Berkshire Life Insurance Company has been our strongest corporate supporter for many years, providing both monetary assistance and volunteerism. From the communication department's design of our brochures to the maintenance team’s assistance with facility projects and to the CFO's leadership skills as our board president, we have grown and flourished due to their generous help. It is clear that the corporate culture at Berkshire Life is based on commitment and active involvement in our community."
Maureen Atwood
Executive Director
Pediatric Development Center
"The Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley's mission is to provide anti-poverty programs that include basic services such as food and housing, while simultaneously promoting self-sufficiency and asset building. The way we accomplish this is through providing a continuum of services to help people stand on their own and overcome obstacles. These include homeownership counseling; emergency mortgage assistance; a family savings program that matches families' savings if these funds are used to start a business, buy a home, or improve employability; and a tenant counseling program. Thanks in part to Guardian's generosity, we continue to make inroads in uplifting families and strengthening neighborhoods."
Sharol Lilly Weaver
Senior Planner
Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley
"Hillcrest Educational Centers provides special education and treatment services to children who have been traumatized from severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at our residential and day treatment programs located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Our work and success with some of the most vulnerable children in not just our region, but in our country would not be possible without the incredible support and friendship Hillcrest and our kids receive from Berkshire.
Berkshire's support has helped Hillcrest advance our use of technology in the classroom, train our staff to work with Autistic children, grow our outdoor education program, and incorporate art education into our classrooms in a way that connects with special needs children. Berkshire is a special organization with a unique culture of passion and commitment to help others for whom life has been a challenge. We are blessed to have them as a partner."
Gerard Burke
President and CEO
Hillcrest Educational Centers
"Guardian is one of the local corporate leaders that is always there to help us build up the community. Helping people realize their dreams of homeownership and break the cycle of poverty is a significant way to give back and affect change. Through both financial support, and the effort of associate volunteers, Guardian brings hope to some of the most disadvantaged families in the Lehigh Valley."
Dr. Chris Bennick
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
The Shakespeare in the Courts project, where adjudicated young adults are selected and required by the Juvenile Court in Berkshire County, MA to rehearse and perform a Shakespeare play, is perhaps the most outrageously conceived response to the needs of a certain population of at-risk youth. For most kids, Shakespeare is known to be intimidating, incomprehensible and irrelevant to their lives. What they discover in this project is something quite different. Shakespeare is still hard, complex and demanding, but that gets forgotten when it becomes so exciting and personally meaningful. That Guardian has been supportive of this program so consistently speaks to our shared belief that, to accomplish outrageously worthwhile results – and against so many obstacles – one must make outrageously imaginative demands. We are grateful both for their financial support and shared commitment towards creativity.
Kevin Coleman
Director of Education
Shakespeare & Co.
