Richmond, Va.

The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls serves children that have been abused, abandoned and neglected. Forest City associates painted a maintenance shed, planted flowers, beautified campus buildings and helped get the picnic and pool areas ready for summer.

“Whenever we can partner with a local community group, I think it really sends a message to our kids, staff and volunteer that we’re here as a community of caring and learning,” said Loren Hatcher, director of development for the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls.

Cleveland

Cleveland Food Bank

Forest City and the Cleveland Food Bank have a lot in common. They’re share a heart for the community and a commitment to sustainability. The organization’s new food distribution center was one of the first LEED-certified buildings in northeast Ohio. “It’s doing wonders for our ability to get nutritious food out into the community,” said Kristin Worzocha, director of external affairs for the Cleveland Food Bank.

The Food Bank serves as the link between members of the food industry that have food to spare and over 450 local hunger centers that provide food to people in need. Forest City associates in Cleveland worked on a variety of different projects. Some sorted incoming food from retailers, while others helped prepare miniature meatballs for hot meals.

 “We’re thrilled to have such a large group of employees from Forest City. It’s so great to have a group this size for a full 8-hour day,” Worzocha said. “Every day, the Cleveland Food Bank distributes enough food to provide about 50,000 meals – that 70,000 pounds of food. And so Forest City’s work today is going to have an enormous impact.”

Fairhill Center

Over 160 associates worked on 24 different projects at Fairhill Center, a 9.5 acre campus that provides services to older adults.

“Two years ago we started renovating the barn, and now that’s finished. But every year we find more and more to do and they can always use more and more help,” said Community Day Project Manager Ed Bogomolny, Tenant Coordination and Construction.

New Avenues to Independence

Forest City associates volunteered at New Avenues to Independence for the second straight year. The organization, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to become more independent and productive members of society, gratefully welcomed Forest City back.

“When I got the phone call in early spring that you guys were coming back I was ecstatic,” said Heidi Lamb, program and fund development director for New Avenues. “I would love for you guys to walk away knowing what an important role that you guys played the lives of our residents. It’s people coming together to build a community. And Forest City has just done a phenomenal job.”