Valmet and Gente de la Calle support homeless people in Chile
Oct 27, 2023
Valmet’s social responsibility program supports selected local projects around the world for the wellbeing of society and the environment. In Chile, Valmet co-operates with Gente de la Calle under the theme “Equal opportunities for wellbeing”.
Since its establishment in 1994, Gente de la Calle has worked to socially reintegrate the people living in the streets. This picture was taken at a Social Service Fair in Cerro Navia in Santiago metropolitan region.
Gente de la calle is a non-profit organization, that for almost thirty years has strived to improve what they call “the situation at the streets” - a structural and multicausal phenomenon that leads to homelessness. The organization works throughout Chile, influencing public policies, setting up networks and initiating actions that protect and improve the lives of the homeless.
Gente de la Calle was chosen to be included in Valmet's social responsibility program through an employee voting last year.
Social Service Fairs provide help where it is needed – in the streets
With Valmet's financial support, Gente de la Calle has further developed its Social Service Fairs, an initiative that brings together governmental and other actors to set up a service network for homeless people. At the fairs, the homeless are provided support in areas related to accommodation, health, food, documentation registration, legal advice, medical and psychological care, as well as sanitary services.
In 2023, the first service fair was held at the main square of Maipú, Santiago. During the day, more than hundred homeless people were offered for example meals and professional help. In addition, 35 people were issued ID cards.
"The fairs aim to improve the quality of life of homeless people and provide them with the support they need to reintegrate socially and in the labor market. By making homelessness visible and bringing the public and private services closer to those who live in this context, Gente de la Calle wants to show respect to people who have lost everything. Undoubtedly, supporting these instances that generate equal opportunities in our society makes a difference and makes us much more conscious corporate citizens," Felix Hernaiz, General Manager, Andes Region at Valmet, says.
Learn more about Gente de la Calle and the Social Service Fairs through the video from Maipú, Santiago.
Valmet's global social responsibility program
Valmet has expanded its global social responsibility program initiated in 2020 with new area-specific local projects around the world.
Valmet’s social responsibility program is part of the company’s sustainability agenda implementation. The program is based on three themes promoting science, nature and equal opportunities: ‘Towards the future with science’, ‘Protecting the planet for next generations’ and ‘Equal opportunities for wellbeing’.
Based on these themes, several local projects in Valmet’s operating areas around the world have been selected to the program. Valmet’s local personnel has participated in the planning and preparation of the projects, and the final selection has been made by employee voting.
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