Smurfit Kappa has partnered with San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries to donate $155,500 to help vulnerable families to break the cycle of poverty. The investment will allow the expansion of the Children’s Enrichment Center's (CEC) existing facilities to increase the number of families supported.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, which operates the CEC, seeks to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering, with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing and services. Through the CEC, the Ministry provides specific assistance to families in the Transitional Living and Learning Center (TLLC), creating a nurturing environment and helping vulnerable children improve the quality of their lives and avoid homelessness.
Smurfit Kappa's $155,500 donation allows for the expansion of the Children’s Enrichment Center's (CEC) existing facilities.
The investment will allow the acquisition of a facility next to the current TLLC. Furthermore, the funds will support the construction required for the CEC as well as modifications to the existing space. This project will support an additional 32 school-aged children and increase the support of the toddler and preschool space for 32 participants.
Smurfit Kappa aims to support a nurturing environment to meet the needs and interests of preschool and school-aged children and their families to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development of these kids. Besides building basic skills and academic knowledge, this project emphasizes the importance of healthy habits, such as good hygiene, nutrition and exercise. Overall, Smurfit Kappa believes the supportive services will promote healing and restore joy to its youngest residents.
The TLLC and CEC have already benefited 76 families (165 children and, overall, 253 individuals). Of those, 95 percent maintained stable housing two years after exiting the program, 50 percent of toddlers and 80 percent of preschoolers showed less disruptive behavior and 100 percent of toddlers and preschoolers showed progress in motor skills, language skills and granted a high school seniors’ degree.
“At Smurfit Kappa we employ all of our capabilities to fund projects focused on helping families in need, as well as young and disadvantaged children through health and nutrition, basic care and early education. With this project, we strengthen our role in San Antonio, where we have the honor to operate as partners committed to protecting the people in significant risk of poverty,” said Eduardo Rubio, CEO of Smurfit Kappa North America.
For more information:
Carlina Toledo
Smurfit Kappa Las Américas
Tel: +57 320 6494581
carlina.toledo@smurfitkappa.com
https://www.smurfitkappa.com/