|
Corporate Social Responsibility
News
10.30.2007 - 07:30am ET
|
CSR News from:
|
|
|
News Categories: |
| | |
The DOW Chemical Company Supports Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy Carter Work Project in Los Angeles
Using Innovative Building Materials from Dow, Thirty Families Move Into Energy-Efficient Homes for the Holidays
(CSRwire) MIDLAND, MI - October 30, 2007 - The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) is lending
support to Habitat for Humanity's 24th annual Jimmy Carter Work Project
(JCWP), Oct. 28 - Nov. 2, 2007, in Los Angeles. During the weeklong
project, thousands of volunteers from around the world will join former
U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in building 30 new
homes and rehabilitating 70 homes this week and through the end of the
year.
As a result of Dow's unique donation, which includes financial and
employee volunteer support as well as product contributions like
STYROFOAM(TM) and WEATHERMATE(TM) housewraps, new homeowners will benefit
from significantly reduced energy consumption and increased savings. Using
Dow product contributions, a new multi-family unit will reduce natural gas
consumption for heating by 23 percent, and provide 30 percent overall
reductions in electricity consumption.
Through Dow's long-standing 27-year relationship with Habitat for
Humanity, the Company's leadership in science and technology will be
leveraged at the 2007 JCWP to solve some of the world’s more pressing
challenges, including decent housing, sustainable development and energy
efficiency.
"Dow is helping to make a difference in the lives of families in need by
supporting Habitat for Humanity and the Jimmy Carter Work Project," said
Scott Young, global portfolio director of energy efficiency for Dow.
"Together, we are building strong communities where people have a
sustainable and affordable place to call home. With the substantial
savings from reduced energy use, these new L.A. homeowners will enjoy a
more comfortable living space and enjoy lower utility bills - month after
month, year after year - long after the last nail is hammered."
The Habitat for Humanity homes will be built in partnership with 30
low-income families in South Los Angeles and in the San Pedro area near
the port. Families partnering with Habitat for Humanity complete 500 hours
of 'sweat equity' in building both their home and the homes of the other
partner families. Families also pay a no-profit mortgage for their homes,
which is then used to build even more simple, decent and affordable
housing in the Los Angeles area. In addition, 70 homes in these two
neighborhoods, already owned by low-income families, will be repaired
through Habitat for Humanity’s "A Brush With Kindness" program.
To help additional low-income families in one of the most expensive and
overcrowded metropolitan areas in the U.S., Habitat for Humanity of
Greater Los Angeles made a three-year commitment to build and rehabilitate
150 additional homes throughout the area. The campaign, "Build a Greater
Los Angeles," is co-chaired by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
In addition to supporting the JCWP, Dow has also pledged its commitment to
several other programs, including Habitat for Humanity's Global Village &
Discovery Center and Congress Building America initiative.
The Carters are Habitat's most famous volunteers. Each year since 1984,
the Carters have given one week of their time to build homes and raise
awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing.
Previous JCWP events have been held in New York City, Georgia, Michigan,
the Philippines, India, Hungary, South Korea and South Africa. Habitat's
project with the Carters in 2008 will be held along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of
innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential
to human progress. The Company offers a broad range of products and
services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide
everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging
and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of
sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $49 billion and employs 43,000
people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow
Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise
expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles strives to eliminate poverty
housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need
to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, Habitat for
Humanity of Greater Los Angeles has built more than 200 homes,
transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. In the spring of 2007,
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles kicked off its three-year
"Building a Greater Los Angeles" campaign to build or rehabilitate 250
homes in Los Angeles County. For more information, visit www.habitatla.org and
www.jcwpla.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry
that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating
poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than
225,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter
for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
|
|
