Homeless people seeking shelter at the Renewal Center in Shanghai now have a cleaner, brighter, more inviting place to learn new skills and get a fresh start in life. The marketing team from Corning’s Optical Communications business segment in China helped make that happen last month with a day of volunteer work.

Eleven employees gave the facility a deep cleaning, emptied cluttered rooms, and cleared one area to set up a new training space for classes in food service. Volunteers also folded and stocked clothing and supplies in closets for easy access by Renewal Center staff. 

“It was a challenge to identify, plan and deliver this volunteer project at The Renewal Center,” said Rebecca Lu, marketing communications manager. “Our team, however, was up to the task. A few hours of work from us will help the center deliver additional life skills and workplace training to its clients.”

Team members also took their energy and muscle power to the roof of the Renewal Center, removing cement slabs, stones, bricks, and other heavy debris. In so doing, they helped prepare for the creation of a rooftop garden café, which will be open to the public and staffed by clients of the Renewal Center as part of their workplace training.
 
The facility has been helping the homeless in Shanghai since 2008. It features an individualized life skills program to help clients set goals, resolve conflicts, and begin renewing broken relationships or reconciling with family.
 
It also assists clients with finding internship opportunities, regaining workplace experience, and ultimately moving to a permanent home.

“This was a great opportunity for Corning to give back to our city and our community,” said Lei Zuo, vice president of marketing for Optical Communications — China.
 
“While a sobering experience, it is energizing to be part of a project that enables others to embark on a life-changing process,” Lei added. “We hope to support more programs like this and continue to fulfill our corporate social responsibility in the communities in which Corning employees live and work.”
 
In addition to helping at the Renewal Center, Corning employees also donated books, clothing, shelves, and other daily necessities.