Partnership provides training opportunities for mothers
A GRANT from the Telus International Philippines (TIP) Community Board enabled Feed Hungry Minds (FHM) to construct a two-story building in Guinobatan, Albay province, that has become the venue for livelihood and capability-building training of mothers and guardians.
FHM, a local nonprofit organization seeking to empower underprivileged and indigent youth through proper nutrition, education, values formation and spiritual guidance, was founded in 2010 by Arpie Patriarca, vocalist of d’Multivitamins.
It was established to mark the band’s 18th anniversary.
The provision of a small library for Guinobatan was suggested to Patriarca, when he was looking for a project to help feed hungry minds.
Saving a portion of the gratuity they received after every performance and contributing a small percentage of their talent fees, Patriarca and the other band members raised enough money to make the library a reality.
The Feed Hungry Minds Library started small. But over time, with Patriarca’s unwavering dedication, the library expanded and had to relocate.
Feed Hungry Minds is also supporting 88 underprivileged students in a public high school in Guinobatan.
Through enrollment assistance and by supplementing other school fees, FHM helped 75 high school students to graduate last school year.
Children have also become proponents and advocates of their own education and empowerment in the FHM program.
Scholars give back to the organization by mentoring younger beneficiaries.
FHM’s initiatives were made possible with the help of the TIP Community Board, which is part of the company’s “we give where we live” community investment strategy.
The board is composed of community leaders and local Telus team members with strong connections in the community and have business and leadership expertise, compassion and willingness to make a difference.
The board makes strategic local funding decisions that focus on addressing specific community needs, partnering with local organizations to help solve existing or emerging issues. It reviews charitable funding applications from local nonprofit organizations and decides based on potential to deliver the most positive impact on local communities.
A pillar of TIP’s caring culture is its corporate social responsibility program. With the help of the board, charitable organizations are invited to apply for one-time funding for projects in health, wellness, education, sports, arts and culture. The board distributes up to $100,000 to local charities annually.