Volunteers Enhance the "New" UMOM New Day Center; Launches ARAMARK Building Community Partnership

The UMOM New Day Center will receive final enhancements to its new location (3320 East Van Buren Street) from 100 greater Phoenix-area volunteers on Thursday, Nov. 12. Employees from ARAMARK, the global provider of professional services, will dedicate their time, talent and energy, marking the beginning of a new, long-term partnership between UMOM and ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide initiative that fosters long-term support for local community centers in more than 25 cities.

UMOM provides homeless and low-income families with food, shelter and tools to build a bridge to self-sufficiency. The organization serves more than 4,100 people per year through the UMOM New Day Center Shelter Programs, and offers childcare, case management, counseling, educational opportunities and other needed services.

With scant personal belongings, many patrons of the UMOM New Day Center are in need of clothing. In response, ARAMARK volunteers will redesign the clothing processing and storage room which will include building shelving systems and sorting previously donated clothing and other items from an ARAMARK-sponsored adult and children's clothing drive.

In addition, ARAMARK employees will complete 16 service projects such as preparing six rooms for homeless families, painting the exterior of the facility and creating inspirational murals, updating the basketball court and outside play area, refurbishing the computer lab, landscaping, and creating a ramada patio.

"The opening of our new site has truly been a community effort, and the enhancements that the ARAMARK volunteers will make during the day of service will help complete this effort," said Darlene Newsom, CEO of UMOM New Day Centers. "This partnership with ARAMARK will not only make the new space warm and inviting for homeless families throughout Phoenix, but provide continuous support to all UMOM locations, including much-needed resources for our existing support programs."

The current economic landscape places more importance on community centers than ever before. In one year, the working poor in Arizona have seen a 10 percent increase in the cost of basic living necessities, such as food, shelter and clothing. As a result, community centers are on the front lines in addressing some of the nation's most pressing social issues, including poverty, education, joblessness, obesity, youth development and caring for aging seniors.

"Our unique skills, expertise and passion for volunteerism bring great value to community organizations that serve people in need," said Jack O'Brien, president of Convention Centers and Sports & Entertainment Support Services, and local ARAMARK Building Community executive sponsor. "ARAMARK is proud of this new, long-term partnership with UMOM, and we look forward to using our skills and resources to positively enhance its shelter and educational services on an ongoing basis, which will help strengthen the community in a meaningful way."

According to a 2008 poll conducted by International Communications Research* on behalf of ARAMARK, 61 percent of Americans believe that the role community centers play will be more important than ever in the current economic climate. Of the services that community centers provide, respondents believe that access to basics like food and clothing, affordable childcare and preschool, job training and after school programs are the most important services offered, though the order of what is most important varies by age, region, education and race.

The enhancement project with UMOM, and others across the country, demonstrates ARAMARK Building Community's dedication to community centers and employee volunteer service. As part of this program, ARAMARK volunteers will come back to UMOM to offer their expertise and resources to help educate families on how to live healthier lifestyles, prepare and connect people to jobs, and provide basic services to enhance and strengthen the organization's existing programs.

*The study was conducted for ARAMARK via telephone by International Communications Research, an independent research company. Interviews were conducted November 7-11, 2008 among a representative sample of 1017 adults aged 18 years or older. The margin of error is +/-3.07% at the 95% confidence level. More information about ICR can be obtained by visiting www.icrsurvey.com

About UMOM New Day Centers

UMOM New Day Centers, Inc. (UMOM) is a 501 (c)(3) nonsectarian, nonprofit organization serving homeless and low-income families. UMOM is the largest homeless shelter for families in the State of Arizona and has served the Greater Phoenix area for more than 40 years. UMOM serves more than 550 individuals each day through a continuum of services that include: shelter, food, case management, transportation assistance, child care, teen programs, education, housing, job search, relocation assistance and medical care. For further information please visit www.umom.org.

About ARAMARK Building Community

ARAMARK Building Community enriches the lives of families in need by supporting local community centers to help people of all generations learn, earn and thrive. ARAMARK recognizes the important role community centers play in addressing the comprehensive needs of individuals and families and is providing a range of resources including grants, volunteers and in-kind contributions. Through ARAMARK Building Community, volunteers will 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; provide basic needs such as food and clothing; and help identified partners run cleaner, safer and more efficient facilities to enhance and strengthen the Center's programs on an ongoing basis.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2009 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and analysts. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 260,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com, or www.twitter.com/aramarknews.

SOURCE: ARAMARK

UMOM Contact: 
Candace Sherwood 
602-275-7852 X 217 
csherwood@umom.org 
or 
Media Contact: 
Allison & Partners 
Krystin Williamson 
619-533-7974 
Krystin@allisonpr.com

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