Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)‍

The Faber employees revisited a worthwhile organization for this year’s day of service. Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) uses online tools and satellite imagery to create maps that help rescue workers reach the most remote locations of the world when disasters strike. Many of these locations have been previously uncharted, which can make emergency response extremely difficult to accomplish. Developing location maps for over 7.5 million people, the organization has worked closely with a number of leading emergency response organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross.

The emergency mapping program offered a timely way for firm members to work collectively on a valuable initiative while remaining socially distant. About half of the firm’s employees spent the day mapping areas of Guyana, a Caribbean region that is highly exposed to various natural and manmade hazards. Combined with the threat of global climate change and various economic vulnerabilities, much of the Caribbean region sits in a particularly unstable socio-economic situation.

For the project, Faber participants pinpointed and outlined building and structures in the area to create mapping details. This was the second time that the firm volunteered with HOT. In June 2016, the Faber team participated in a map-a-thon sponsored by the organization. At the time, the project focused on Mozambique. Homes, roads and rivers were pinpointed in order to direct spraying efforts in a malaria elimination project. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team visit https://www.hotosm.org/.

‍

More Than Words

Faber staff members recently dedicated their day of service to helping empower young adults to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that serves youth aged 15 to 24 who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, or out of school. Through their bookselling business, participants work approximately 20 hours each week managing the retail business while also learning valuable life skills and gaining lasting work experience. “Graduates of More Than Words pursue education and secure and keep employment at rates that far exceed their peers,” states the organization’s website, “94% of our youth and graduates have or are on track to earn a High School Diploma or equivalent, and 82% are working. We’re proud of these hard-earned accomplishments and each and every young person who works with us to take charge of their lives.” Faber volunteers helped the More Than Words youth exceed their daily production goals by sorting approximately 2,700 books during their time at the facility. They also helped these amazing young adults with their personal interaction goals, as they spoke with the youth about the workings of their business and accompanied them on a guided tour. There are numerous ways that the community can support the youth of More Than Words in meeting their business and personal goals. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with More Than Words visit https://mtwyouth.org/.

‍

Gaining Ground

Eleven Faber staff, family and friends worked hard recently worked hard recently, donating their time and efforts to Gaining Ground, an organization that grows organic produce and distributes it for hunger relief throughout Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Volunteers perform almost 70% of the work required to manage the farm’s 20 acres of land. The organization receives help from more than 3,000 people every growing season, including people of all ages and abilities. “We believe that everyone has something to contribute,” states the organization’s website, “from planting beans in the ground, to tying flowers and herbs into bouquets for drying, to chopping wood for sugaring and harvesting cherry tomatoes.” Faber volunteers were elbow-deep, harvesting about 1200 pounds of sweet potatoes, one of the farm’s staples in its efforts to alleviate hunger. Gaining Ground’s produce goes straight from the farm to homeless shelters, food pantries, and various local meal programs. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Gaining Ground, visit https://gainingground.org/support-us/.

‍

Wine to Water

Wine to Water is an extraordinary not-for-profit organization, established in 2007, committed to alleviating the world’s clean water crisis. One way the organization meets this goal is through the assembly and distribution of safe, low-cost water filters to individuals in hard to reach locations without reasonable access to clean (potable) water. For their day of service, Faber staffers participated in a Wine To Water Filter Build, where they successfully assembled 100 water filters. It was a family affair, with children as young as 4 years old joining in on this important effort. The constructed filters were then distributed to families in Puerto Rico who were impacted by the devastating hurricane.

This was Faber’s first time assisting with Wine To Water, but the experience has sparked a heartwarming chain reaction. Several of the younger participants have expressed interest in bringing Wine to Water Filter Builds to their campuses and communities.

‍

Bio-Ball‍

Since 2004, Faber has been the lead sponsor for Bio-Ball, providing both financing and volunteers to manage this day-long basketball tournament to raise funds for Special Olympics Massachusetts. Local biotech professionals and Special Olympians─ ranging  from teenagers to 60-year-olds─form dual lineup teams that compete on individual skills and in a series of five-on-five games. The day’s activities culminate in a championship playoff, showcasing the talents and determination of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the year, teams from participating firms hold separate fundraisers that contribute to the event’s fundraising total. See the 2018 Bio-Ball here.