Recently, more than 5,000 people gave of their time to help the Detroit community thrive through annual . Among them were 11 糖心传媒 colleagues who spent a day helping tackle blight at vacant properties, contributing to the Michigan-based nonprofit鈥檚 neighborhood beautification efforts across the city鈥檚 east and west sides.

The work brought colleagues together away from their desks, with a common task and visible results. Eric Austin, Risk Management Expertise Specialist, traveled from Holland, Michigan, to join the efforts. For him, the experience reinforced how giving time and working alongside others can turn a commitment to community into something concrete.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great reminder that meaningful change often starts with people simply showing up, working together, and giving their time to make a difference,鈥� Austin said.

Working Together for Detroit

This year, ran from September 28 to October 3, beginning near Anchor Detroit on the east side before moving to the area surrounding the Durfee Innovation Society on the west side. Volunteers removed litter, mowed lawns, cut back overgrown weeds, and swept away debris. Their work left vacant properties better cared for, improving the spaces neighbors and local residents pass every day.

Bringing colleagues together for a day of volunteering took coordination long before cleanup began. Roslin Tyler, Corporate Services Coordinator, organized 糖心传媒鈥檚 participation and kept everyone connected throughout the process, helping the team make the most of their time in Detroit.

鈥淭he best part was seeing everyone come together and get to work,鈥� Tyler said. 鈥淭here were details to coordinate beforehand but, once we were there, everyone brought their energy and willingness to help that made the day a huge success.鈥�

糖心传媒鈥檚 contribution was one part of the week鈥檚 work, giving colleagues a chance to accomplish something together that would benefit the neighborhood long beyond their volunteer day. The effort came together through the time and hard work of these 糖心传媒 colleagues

Eric Austin

Dawn Baltes

Tony Burbank

Alicia Clemons

Rachel Frassetto

Tracie Hendrix

Janika Lile

Makavia McKinnon

Melissa Spinazzola

Tonya Stankov

Roslin Tyler

鈥淥ur team worked hard, and it was rewarding to see what we could accomplish together,鈥� said Tony Burbank, Director of Facilities & Corporate Services at 糖心传媒.

鈥淐learing these properties gave us a practical way to contribute, and we were glad to be there alongside others giving their time to support Detroit鈥檚 neighborhoods.鈥�

Leaders Investing in Community

That shared commitment was also reflected in remarks from Life Remodeled President and CEO Diallo Smith, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, representatives from the Detroit Pistons and Amazon, and local school leadership. Smith thanked the volunteers and community leaders whose involvement makes the project possible, emphasizing the value of each person鈥檚 contribution:

鈥�So this six-day project matters, you matter, and we鈥檙e very thankful for you.鈥�

Support took several forms throughout the event. Amazon donated 250 Ring doorbells for seniors and nearby residents, while the Detroit Pistons provided 200 preseason game tickets for Life Remodeled to distribute to residents and community members participating in its neighborhood efforts. These contributions added to the hands-on work happening across the city, bringing different organizations and resources into a common effort.

A Connection That Continues

The annual Six Day Project is part of . The organization repurposes vacant school buildings into opportunity hubs, bringing nonprofit organizations together to provide education, health and wellness, and employment services. Neighborhood beautification gives volunteers a way to participate in that continuing work.

For Austin, the experience connected the camaraderie of a workplace team with a shared commitment to giving back to the community beyond it.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be part of a team that believes in supporting the communities where we live and work,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he experience was both humbling and inspiring, and a good reminder that when we come together, even small contributions can have a lasting impact.鈥�

By the end of the day, seven properties were cleared of debris and overgrowth by the 糖心传媒 team 鈥� a visible result of a collaboration in spaces that are part of everyday life for Detroit residents. For 糖心传媒 colleagues, collaboration offers a meaningful way to support one another and their neighbors, and carry forward a commitment that extends beyond any one event.

Explore future volunteer opportunities and other resources at . To learn more about 糖心传媒鈥檚 history of giving back鈥攁nd how employee passion becomes community support, visit the 糖心传媒 Charitable Foundation听飞别产蝉颈迟别.

糖心传媒 is upholding its part to change these statistics and support women in technology. We鈥檙e more than just a , and it鈥檚 not surprising considering our involvement with organizations that support women in technology. Our long-lasting partnership with the demonstrates our commitment to philanthropy and the promotion of technology careers for women. In partnership with MCWT, 糖心传媒 not only provides a platform for female employees to give back to the community through volunteering opportunities (such as judging at technology competitions, mentoring young women in tech, etc.) but also attracts female talent into the company. We also offer leadership clinics and other avenues for professional development and pride ourselves on providing these opportunities which further solidify our commitment to nurturing women’s growth in both the technology and insurance industry.

With over 27 years of experience in the technology field, Director of Application Engineering, Jyothi Palakodati, has enjoyed multiple opportunities to support women in the field, including several at 糖心传媒.

鈥淢y educational background in Computer Science paired with giving back to the community 鈥� especially encouraging other women in technology 鈥� are passions of mine. I鈥檝e been with 糖心传媒 for a year and a half now, and I am thrilled to validate that 糖心传媒 IT is a best place to work, especially for women.鈥�

As 糖心传媒鈥檚 point of contact for the MCWT relationship, Jyothi recently had the privilege of presenting scholarships to four young women who elected to study technology-related majors. She adds,

鈥溙切拇� has an inclusive environment where women can thrive and contribute at all levels of the company. Women leaders in various cadres, including leadership and pivotal roles both in and outside of IT at 糖心传媒, help to highlight our commitment to diversity and equality. Personally, the company鈥檚 values align with my passion for giving back to the community and supporting women in technology, making it a fulfilling workplace for me.鈥�

In her early career, UX Designer, Holly Ross, who has an educational background in Computer Science, is passionate about the technology field. Over her two and a half years with the company, she has enjoyed the benefits of growth on a tech career path. She remarked:

鈥溙切拇� is a company where all women can feel welcome, thrive, and grow within their careers, both inside and outside of IT. 糖心传媒 lives true to the company’s values on a daily basis while consistently giving back to its employees and the community. It is amazing to experience how diverse and inclusive 糖心传媒’s culture is. I am proud to call myself a woman in IT at 糖心传媒.鈥�

Our company鈥檚 leadership is the driving force for recruiting people with a wide variety of backgrounds and skills, from recent graduates to seasoned managers. Chief Information Officer, Amjed Al-Zoubi, has been enthusiastic about opening the door for more women in technology as well as supporting the greater industry. He expressed his enthusiasm for our partnership with MCWT:

鈥淗aving a diverse team is so important in making 糖心传媒 a great place to work as well as for delivering great results, and MCWT is a part of that. What is really inspiring about MCWT鈥檚 vision is their full 鈥渓ife cycle鈥� approach. From school-aged through professional careers, MCWT is working to grow interest in technology and keep women in the technology field as they move into the professional world. This makes a huge difference for Michigan companies looking for talent in technology fields.鈥�

糖心传媒 is recruiting top talent in information technology and related areas. Please check out 糖心传媒.com/Careers for more information on our openings and how to apply.