Aramark Employee Volunteers Refurbish Southeast Community Services, Inc.

By: Kate Voss

Southeast Community Services, Inc. (SECS), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing self-sufficiency for hundreds of low-income residents, received a much-deserved facelift from hard-working volunteers at ARAMARK, the global professional services company. This event jump starts a new partnership with SECS and is part of ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide initiative that fosters long-term support for local community centers in more than 25 cities.

On Wednesday, August 12, SECS received a substantial transformation, including the creation of a food pantry that will be supplied with food items collected by ARAMARK volunteers. Other projects included: painting a variety of murals for rooms throughout the facility, construction of storage units, shelves and benches, and landscaping the outside area with new flower beds.

“Southeast Community Services has directly felt the burn of the recession—with the greatest challenge being the demand for services,” said Terri Garcia, executive director of SECS. “This partnership really could not have come at a better time. The center provides services free-of-charge to our residents, funded through community donations. ARAMARK will add much-needed services to the center that would not have happened without their generosity and support.”

Through ARAMARK Building Community, employees use their expertise to help youth and adults develop critical, employable work skills and connect them to career opportunities; support families with nutrition and wellness education and provide basic needs, such as food and clothing, during health/wellness and career fairs.

Community centers – including Southeast Community Services, Inc.– are on the front lines in addressing some of our nation’s most pressing social issues, including poverty, education, joblessness, obesity, youth development and caring for aging seniors.

By focusing on making improvements to the facilities, building infrastructure and off-setting costs, Indianapolis ARAMARK volunteers will enable the Center to better meet their important social missions.

Southeast Community Services, Inc. is located at 901 South Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN. 46203. For more information call 317-236-7400