At Avenue Living, we believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work. We also believe that our employees have a strong desire to contribute in positive ways and to build connections with their colleagues. Since launching the program in late 2023, Avenue Living has encouraged team-based philanthropy by offering eight hours of paid volunteer time through our Employer-Supported Volunteerism (ESV) program. The ESV program was enthusiastically welcomed by employees when it launched, and we’re incredibly proud to share some of the highlights from the past year.
The Vision Behind ESV
The program was designed to support and encourage all Avenue Living employees to give back while enhancing team connections and our corporate culture, expanding our ESG contributions, and partnering with local organizations. The initiative was also developed to align closely with our three social impact pillars:
- Children & Families
- Healthy Communities
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
With these pillars at the core of the ESV program, we have made meaningful strides in strengthening the communities that support us and enabling our employees to lend their time and expertise to causes close to their hearts.
Key Achievements in Year One
Avenue Living’s ESV program has contributed over 510 volunteer hours to various organizations since launching in late 2023, directly impacting lives and uplifting communities. Our volunteer base was made up of over 100 people across two countries and five cities. From assisting local food banks and supporting seniors' organizations to participating in meal programs and aiding community shelters, Avenue Living has proudly supported over 10 distinct charitable organizations in the past year, including the Calgary Drop-in Centre, the Women in Need Society, and the Canadian Blood Services.
We were incredibly proud of the Avenue Living Team members who came out to support the Calgary Drop-in Centre, where volunteers helped with various day-to-day activities, including the storage, distribution, management and inventory of donation items. Another highlight of this year’s program was when our team joined forces with the Calgary Police Youth Foundation to help make back-to-school a little more fun for disadvantaged students across the city. Together, we helped fill 3,000 backpacks with back-to-school kits for Indigenous and marginalized students returning to school in the fall of 2024.
The Impact on Employees and Communities
Each volunteer opportunity we support gives our team members the chance to work together and contribute in ways that foster not only community spirit but also professional connections, and teamwork. "The ESV program has been really positive," says Courtney Slater, Vice President of our People and Culture team. "It’s inspiring to see how passionate our team members are to get out there and give back to our different communities. This program has helped us connect more deeply with the causes we care about, make new connections across the company, and see the positive impact we can all have when we’re supported as employees to do so.”
Team members have shared that volunteering has helped them grow both personally and professionally. Avenue Living’s ESV program empowers individuals to make a difference and bring that inspiration back to their work, ultimately creating a company culture that values empathy, teamwork, and action.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the success of our first year, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. Avenue Living remains committed to expanding the ESV program and finding new ways for employees to engage in the issues that matter most to them. Our goal is to grow our volunteer impact even further, deepen our connections where we live and work, and ensure that our employees feel supported and inspired in their volunteer efforts.
We look forward to seeing the impact of this program in the years to come.
